While Fox News has spent a considerable amount of time criticizing President Joe Biden‘s press conference on Thursday and parroting Donald Trump’s “Sleepy Joe” insult from the campaign, Geraldo Rivera surprised the hosts of Fox & Friends when he actually went to bat for the president. Despite his highly publicized support for Trump’s re-election, Rivera immediately swatted down insinuations that Biden is too old for the job and has dementia. In fact, Rivera thought Biden did a fine job silencing his critics. Via Crooks and Liars:
“However, I must admit that he was not Joe Biden, the President of the United States, was not the pathetic senile incomprehensible old fool that some critics predicted he would be in an hour-long press conference,” Geraldo opined. “I thought he did a substantively fine job, he answered most of the questions.”
What made Rivera’s remarks even more jarring is that Fox & Friends had just spent an entire hour blasting Biden’s speech and playing a heavily edited montage of his occasional gaffes and slip-ups, which host Steve Doocy called “kind of hard to watch at times.”
Defying his Fox News colleague is starting to become a trend for Rivera. Following the January 6 attack on the Capitol building, he has been a vocal critic of Trump’s involvement in the insurrection and has even gone so far as to say that he deserved to be impeached. In a particularly pointed tweet, Rivera called Trump “an entitled frat boy” for failing to accept the election results. We’re guessing the two don’t have friendly phone calls anymore.
Every human being is responsible for their own safety and well-being—in a perfect world. In the world we live in, however, where certain people are targeted because of their gender, race, or other identifying factor, we have to place the primary responsibility where it belongs. That means holding the people doing the targeting accountable, which also means enlisting those people’s peers who have the power to actually make a difference.
Sarah Everard’s recent disappearance and murder in the U.K., as well as the murder of seven women in a shooting spree in Georgia, has prompted a wave of discussion on harassment and violence against women around the world. On social media and TV segments, women have shared the myriad ways they try to stay safe, the precautions they take, and the enormous mental load of constantly being on guard. It’s a lot. And there’s only so much women can do to get to the root of the problem.
Comedian Trevor Noah explained on The Daily Show why men need to take responsibility for this issue in his brilliantly Trevor Noah way. He pointed out that March was supposed to be a time to celebrate women’s history, but we haven’t been able to focus on that because of what’s happening in women’s present.
He pointed to the high-profile murders in the news, then pointed out, “For many women, they’re only the most extreme manifestation of a problem that they have to deal with every single day.”
“For many women, every time they leave the house, it’s a risk. And this is not something that men experience. Like, when the pandemic hit, men were like ‘So just going outside is dangerous now?’ And women were like ‘Yeah, add it to the list.’ And that risk of violence is why women are forced to constantly check up on each other to make sure that everyone gets home okay. It’s become a normal part of women’s routines. Get home, brush your teeth, put on some PJs, and then text your friends a picture of you holding today’s newspaper to prove that you’re alive.”
Of course, he exaggerates for comedic effect, but the checking-in part is true. Women do that all the time. We worry about ourselves and we worry about each other.
“And the truth is,” Noah added, “even if women know they will get home safely most times, they never know which is the time that they won’t. Because for women, just being out in public means facing a wide array of potential threats from men.”
The statistics are stunning. In a poll shared by Morning Joe, 96% of women reported being harassed on the street in the past year and 78% were followed in a way that made them feel unsafe.
Even something as seemingly simple as catcalling, which men might not think much of, is unnerving for women.
“Women never know what a catcall might lead to,” Noah said, “since that person already has the audacity to start shouting at them on the street. I mean, it’s like the guy at the buffet who starts grabbing rice with his bare hands. Yo, that person is clearly capable of anything.”
Noah pointed out that this is why so many women wear headphones. We may not even be listening to anything—many women don’t feel safe not being able to hear what’s happening around them—but will walk down the street with headphones on so it’s easier to pretend not to hear it if a man catcalls. Gross? Yes. But true.
“So, women basically have to tiptoe around the outside world like it’s The Quiet Place, which is why they leave the house armed to the teeth in case—just in case—they get noticed by the monster.”
Violence Against Women & Why It’s Up to Men to Stop It | The Daily Social Distancing Show
Throughout the segment, Noah shares clips of women talking about their experiences and what they do to try to stay safe. And his reactions to them are honestly refreshing. Here’s a man listening to what women are saying and looking at it through a lens of compassion and empathy.
“I never want to hear anyone talk shit about women’s giant purses again,” Noah said. “Like, ever again. Look at all the shit that they have to bring with them just to stay safe. They got tasers. They got mini mace sprays on their keychains. What do men have on our keychains, huh? Bottle openers. I mean, that should tell you everything you need to know.”
Finally, Noah explains that the solution to the problem isn’t “to load up women with weapons and gadgets like a human Swiss Army knife.”
“In fact,” he said, “the solution doesn’t really have anything to do with women at all.”
“The conversation needs to be reframed. Because this is not about what else women can do. You can’t solve violence against women without addressing the men committing it.”
Men may immediately respond defensively to that statement because they personally aren’t out harassing, molesting, or murdering women. But as Noah pointed out, it’s more complicated than that. Women don’t know who is safe and who is not.
Noah said we should “be teaching the next generation of men to respect women and be aware of their experiences, and we should start them as early as possible.”
“Aside from children,” he added, “we have a responsibility to teach each other…as men, we should be steering this conversation to where it belongs, centered on us. Because this is our responsibility, not to be creeps, okay? So let’t not make it the one thing that we don’t take credit for.”
Thank you, Trevor Noah, for listening, hearing, and sharing. The more men who really get it, the safer women will be.
Throughout history, women have always been stereotyped as the more talkative gender. People who talk too much are known as Chatty Cathys and there is no male equivalent. Talkative Tim? Spechifying Simon? Mansplaining Marty? They don’t exist.
Just consider the famous quotes about women: “A woman’s tongue wags like a lamb’s tail, never still,” and “Many women, many words.”
As the stereotypes go, women have been unfairly labeled as gossipers who sit around the proverbial “sewing circle” telling tales out of school.
This stereotype of chatty, gossipy women has rendered their speech to be perceived as frivolous, compared to men whose contrite manner of speaking is seen as virtuous. The old saying he was a “man of few words” is usually seen as a positive trait.
On a deeper level, the devaluing of women’s speech due to the belief that they are careless with words means that they’re often uncomfortable when speaking up in professional settings.
Psychologist Victoria Brescoll says that “institutional power encourages men but discourages women from talking more, as powerful women fear a backlash that is absent for men when taking on a greater share of the conversational floor.”
The assumption that women talk more than men is generally accepted by most people. However, according to research, it isn’t true. In fact, it only took artist Abraham Piper from Minneapolis, Minnesota, about a minute to debunk the myth recently on TikTok.
In his video, Piper cites a study by researchers Deborah James and Janice Drakich published in 1993. The meta-analysis revealed that only two of 56 studies found that women talk more than men and that 34 of them said men talk more than women.
Another study by psychologist James Pennebaker fitted men and women in the U.S and Mexico with a device that records 30-second snippets of sound every 12.5 minutes. Pennebaker found that women spoke an average of 16,215 words a day while the men spoke 15,669. A pretty negligible difference.
Piper also points out that a big reason for the recent perpetuation of the myth that it was popularized by a major figure on the Christian right.
“It was first published and popularized by James Dobson. That’s right the mega-famous Christian conservative psychologist of Focus on the Family,” Piper says.
In Dobson’s book “Love for a Lifetime,” he incorrectly states that “research tells us” God gives a woman 50,000 words a day, while her husband only gets 25,000.
Dobson then extrapolates that this causes tension in the home because men come home from work and they’ve used up their entire word budget for the day and their wives are just rearing to go.
Piper notes that Dobson’s stat is often cited by well-meaning psychologists who never did their research, “So many people believe it.”
The good news is that Piper’s video has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, so maybe it’ll work to change public perception.
With his 2020 album After Hours, The Weeknd has proven that he knows how to dominate the charts. Now, he’s looking to dominate the world of cryptocurrency art. The singer announced Friday that he’s planning on releasing new music soon. But instead of sharing a song on streaming services, he’s instead making it available as an NFT.
The singer took to Twitter to share the news. “new song living in NFT space. coming soon…,” he wrote.
The Weeknd didn’t offer much information about exactly what the NFT entails, but he’s far from the first musician to break into the industry. Earlier this week, Ja Rule was able to make good on his Fyre Festival scandal by selling a painting of the event’s logo as an NFT for $120K. Grimes also made an eye-catching amount of money on the NFT market. The musician released an entire collection of digital art through an NFT auction, and ended up making $6 million in under 24 hours.
While The Weeknd may be breaking into new territory with his first-ever NFT, he’s also leaving behind some more traditional aspects of the music industry: namely, the Grammys. After he was snubbed for a Grammy Award this year, The Weeknd recently announced that he would be boycotting the ceremony going forward. The singer said that he will no longer submit his music for Grammy consideration by the Recording Academy “because of the secret committees.”
Good tequila is getting easier and easier to find these days. The very solid stuff tends to be well-aged but doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Then you have the next tier — the really fine bottles. Those tequilas often do come with a hefty price tag, but they typically showcase the craft expertise to back it up.
To help you expand your tequila knowledge, we decided to poll our drinks team about their favorite high-end tequilas at the moment. We ended up with an eclectic mix of well-known brands and newbies. The throughline? They’re all pretty damn tasty and can be enjoyed straight (or with a single ice cube).
The bottles below aren’t ranked by price or taste. This is simply a list of the high(ish)-end tequilas that we’re digging on right now. Click the prices to order the expressions that look best to you!
Altos is Olmeca’s bespoke and sustainable arm. The Highland tequila is all about an agave-to-glass experience that highlights those rolling hills of blue agave in Jalisco. The piñas are harvested by hand, roasted in a massive brick oven, crushed by tahona stone, fermented with proprietary yeast, and triple distilled in copper pot stills.
That juice is then rested in Altos’ warehouse in used bourbon casks for 18 months.
Tasting Notes:
You’re greeted with a subtle whisper of bourbon vanilla next to nutmeg and clove on the nose. The taste embraces those eggnog spices and really amps up the creaminess of the vanilla while the roasted agave provides an almost smoky foundation to the sip.
A note of bitter chocolate with a chili spice edge arrives late, as the velvety tequila slowly fades away.
Bottom Line:
This is an astoundingly easy sipping tequila at this price point. Seriously, this could cost twice as much and people wouldn’t bat an eye. Maybe even three times as much.
Add a rock, and you’ll open up more of the spice and cacao notes.
Cincoro was created by Michael Jordan and four other NBA team owners who bonded over their mutual appreciation for tequila. The award-winning brand offers four expressions: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo. The Añejo is crafted with 100% Weber blue agave and is matured in barrels previously used to age bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Upon first whiff, you catch a swirl of scents ranging from spicy black pepper to the richness of cooked agave. The palate is dessert in a glass, consisting of caramel, burnt orange, dark chocolate, and the cooked agave that was introduced the palate via the aroma at the outset. The finish is akin to catching the perfect sunset – alluring yet fleeting.
Bottom Line:
The enjoyable, sumptuous sip is like a vacay I never want to end! It’s a delight from its subtle sweet start to its earthy finish. Plus, the bottle is posh (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, founder of Casa Noble, is a seventh-generation tequila-maker. While every product from the distillery is notable, its extra añejo expression is an award-winning, single barrel offering that is so special, every bottle is numbered and signed by Hermosillo himself. This 100% Blue Weber agave tequila is matured in subtly charred French white oak for five years
The result is a mellow, sweet sipping spirit loaded with caramel flavors.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find distinct aromas of cloves, vegetal agave, and dark chocolate. The palate is swirling with a cacophony of charred oak, vanilla beans, toffee, and sweet, ripe agave. The finish is long in length, perfectly warming, and ends with a nice combination of chocolate and smoke.
Bottom Line:
This is the kind of tequila that changes expectations about what a spirit is or can be. Obviously, you’ll want to sip this well-aged, nuanced tequila. Sit with it and let it unfold.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo (Zach Johnston)
This is the mountaintop of the Jose Cuervo line. Time is key with this expression, as the agaves are slowly cooked, the juices are slowly fermented and distilled, and the tequila is given lots of time to mature. It takes three years of resting in bourbon and French oak to reach the “extra” anejo heights of this tequila.
It’s definitely time well spent.
Tasting Notes:
The nose draws you in with hints of marzipan, spicy stewed apples, raisins, and soft cedar. The taste delivers on those notes while dialing them in, as the marzipan becomes more like a candied almond, the spice leans into hot sticks of cinnamon, the apple gets tart, and the vanilla brings a creaminess to it all. The end is long and touches on a spicy apple tobacco chew with a silky vanilla pudding softness.
Bottom Line:
Yes, this is spendy. But, goddamn is it good. It’s so good that it’s baffling that this comes from the same company that makes Cuervo Gold, which has made 20-year-olds from Tokyo to Tallahassee cringe with every shot they take.
This sip, with a single rock, is as good as any high-end scotch or bourbon and offers just as much depth and beauty.
Don’t let those extra months in the barrel of El Tesoro’s Extra Añejo tempt you into splurging on the more expensive expression. El Tesoro’s less aged Añejo has all the complexities you’d want from an expertly aged Tequila with subtle floral notes that linger pleasingly on the palate between sips.
Slow aged in American ex-bourbon barrels for up to three years, El Tesoro’s Añejo is produced from blue weber agave harvested from Jalisco and distilled in the legendary La Alteña distillery.
Tasting Notes:
Warm tones of oak and cooked agave greet you and slowly melt into a rich vanilla and caramel blend, with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. The slightly sweet finish is a nice closer (as is that incredible price).
Bottom Line:
This is a lovely sipper, but if you’re feeling generous with yourself, throw it in a cocktail. Although it’s roast-y and agave forward, it has some noticeably bright floral notes that cut through a simple mix brilliantly.
This award-winning añejo is made using a historic family recipe in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico (located 33 kilometers north of Guadalajara). It’s made from 100% Blue Weber agave, using high-pressure cooking, an authentic roller mill, pot still distilled, before being aged for 18 months in charred French oak wine barrels from Napa Valley, California.
Tasting Notes:
Take a moment to give this tequila a nice nosing and you’ll be treated to aromas of dried fruits, clover honey, vanilla beans, and roasted agave. The palate is filled with flavors of crisp apples, buttery vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and just a touch of cracked black pepper. The finish is dry, filled with pleasing heat, and ends with a nice combination of vanilla and spicy cinnamon.
Bottom Line:
This really shines with the addition of a few drops of water or a single ice cube. Sip it, share it, enjoy it.
You might pay a little more for it, but you can bet cracking open a bottle of Fortaleza Añejo is going to be an epic sipping experience. This juice is made from 100% stone-crushed Blue Weber agave that’s double distilled in copper pot stills before being aged for 18 months in charred American oak barrels and bottled in hand-blown bottles.
Tasting Notes:
If you take a moment to breathe in the aromas of this hand-crafted tequila, you’ll find scents of brown sugar, vanilla beans, riper fruit, and roasted agave. Take a sip and you’ll be transported to a world of citrus zest, caramelized sugar, ripe agave, and an underlying nutty sweetness. It all ends with a mellow, subtly spicy finish.
Bottom Line:
For a tequila that was only aged for a year and a half, this spirit is bursting with flavor. It’s highly mixable, but most suited as a sipper on a cool evening.
This luxe tequila and mezcal brand just launched last year. Founded by actor and businessman Diego Osorio, Lobos 1707 offers three premium tequilas including Joven, Extra Añejo, and Reposado, in addition to the mezcal. The Extra Añejo is matured for three years in American white oak and finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) wine barrels using the solera method.
Tasting Notes:
The tantalizing aroma is filled with agave, sherry, and oak that translates onto the palate. Oak tannins really shine through on the first sip and are accompanied by warmed agave and vanilla. There’s a quick bite of heat at the back of the palate before settling into the slightly sweet finish.
Bottom Line:
Enjoy it neat in the cooler months and chilled in the summer. It’s just as gratifying for longtime tequila fans as it is a great entry point for newcomers to the spirit.
Famously known as George Clooney’s billion-dollar tequila brand, Casamigos delivers the goods. The piñas are slow roasted in brick ovens. The juice is then fermented for nearly four long days, allowing the flavors to run deep in the juice. Finally, the tequila is aged for 14 months — resting through the hot highland days and cool nights.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a nice balance of salted caramel and bourbon vanilla on the nose that feels both comforting and enticing. The palate holds onto those bourbon-esque notes while adding in a nice dose of holiday cake spices, dried fruits, almonds, and a hint of wet oak. The end has a slight spicy tobacco chew that leads towards a silken and slow finish with a final hint of roasted agave lingering on your senses.
Bottom Line:
This really feels like the bourbon lover’s tequila. While it’s unabashedly an agave spirit, there’s such a familiar matrix of bourbon notes that it really does feel comforting while giving you something unique … and delicious.
“Smooth” should be a given for a tequila this expensive, but even with the high price in mind, it’s… well it’s surprising just how smooth Avión Reserva 44’s amber extra-aged tequila is. This extra añejo is made using Avión’s Silver tequila made from agave harvested at the prime age of 7-10 years and slow roasted in brick ovens.
Once distilled, the tequila is aged for 44 months — 43 of which are spent in large oak barrels. That last month they’re transferred to petite barrels, which are rotated daily.
Tasting Notes:
Warm roasted agave on the nose gently cut with notes of light citrus and juicy cherry. On the palate, this sipping tequila provides a rich and creamy caramel and butterscotch flavor with hints of oak and an earthy chocolate finish that bounces between deep fruity tones and spicy cinnamon.
Bottom Line:
Pricey, yes, but worth every penny. This is a celebratory tequila, meant for reflecting on life in a spirit of joy.
Created by five veteran Napa Valley winemakers with a collective passion for tequila, Penta features a line of three, 100% blue agave tequilas consisting of Añejo, Reposado, and Diamante Cristalino. The latter is made using the same process as an Añejo or Reposado, then charcoal-filtered to remove the hue and wood notes while leaving behind a host of interesting flavors.
Tasting Notes:
The nose isn’t nearly as complex as the palate. Vanilla permeates the entire tasting experience with hints of caramel and light roasted coffee. You won’t find any heat; however, you will enjoy a confection-sweet finish.
Bottom Line:
Ditch the vanilla bean ice cream for this boozier, creamy treat. You won’t regret it.
This expression from Gran Centenario is double distilled and aged for four years in new American oak (much like a four-year-old bourbon would be). Once the primary aging finishes, the brand’s distillers pair the tequila with other vintages until they reach their ideal blend.
This expression was a private family product of Lazaro Gallardo, the first master distiller in history, for decades before ever becoming an official product. The craft and care clearly reflect how personal the expression has been for the Gallardo family.
Tasting Notes:
Deep amber color offers a preview of the oak that has soaked into this expression, but nothing can forewarn the silkiness. The nose features the slightest hint of agave paired with the vanilla-caramel notes you’d expect from a good bourbon. It’s the palate where this gem really expands — dried fruit and the crackled leather on a hundred-year-old wingback chair come into play before the sip opens into a touch more agave, soaked in brown sugar, and smoked walnuts drizzled with honey.
This finish is impossibly smooth. If you want your alcohol to bite, even a little, this isn’t the one for you. It goes down like pure silk.
Bottom Line:
I remember the two times in my life that I’ve had a legit “this might be the best XXXXXX I’ve ever had” moment. The burger at Small Cheval in Chicago was one, this was the other. If you like your tequilas like you like your 90s-era R&B groups — smooth and draped in silk — this one is that good.
As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.
While the next generation of consoles hasn’t had many games to rave about, the last great PlayStation 4 exclusive is already getting the movie treatment from a familiar director. Ghost of Tsushima, the critically-acclaimed Sony title that truly pushed the last-gen console to its absolute limits, is reportedly getting a chance at the silver screen.
Deadline first reported that a Tsushima movie is in the works from John Wick director Chad Stahelski. The film, which is set to come from Sony’s PlayStation Productions, was later confirmed by the company in a blog post later on Thursday.
“The idea of translating our game into a new medium is exciting, and we’re intrigued by the possibilities,” wrote Nate Fox, director of Sucker Punch Studios. “We’ve all gone to a movie on opening night when the crowd is so excited that they cheer as the lights go down. It’s a group experience that isn’t replicated anywhere else. To think that we could sit in the theater someday watching Jin Sakai up on the big screen is amazing. We’d all relive his tense transformation into the Ghost from a whole new vantage point.”
The post noted that the cutscene-heavy Ghost of Tsushima has sold more than 6.5 million copies since its debut in the fall of 2020, and “roughly half” of players have made it at least halfway through the impressive title. That’s a lot of people who would, at least in theory, be really excited to see the game’s story played out in theaters. And in an industry practically overrun with sequels and franchises, seeing an original game concept adapted into a movie is, well, about as good as it gets when it comes to new ideas in action movies these days.
Solar Opposites: Season 2 (Hulu series) — Rick & Morty guys Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan are back with their four aliens who’ve crash landed and set up camp in American suburbia. Is life full of pollution and consumerism or wonderful diversions like TV and junk food? Maybe both, and expect this season to be more “opposite” than the last round and hopefully, bigger and funnier, too.
Invincible (Amazon Prime series) — This animated romp will please both fans of The Boys and The Walking Dead, and the latter reference has everything to do with the source material penned by Robert Kirkman. Invincible is an ultraviolent deconstruction of the superhero, and yes, we’ve seen plenty of dismantling already, but this story has heart. Stephen Yeun makes a fantastic leading man here, and the cast (J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, Walton Goggins, Jason Mantzoukas, Zazie Beetz, Zachary Quinto, Mark Hamill, and several TWD names) is ridiculously good.
Bad Trip (Netflix film) — This film stars Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery being totally outrageous alongside Tiffany Haddish and Michaela Conlin. Andre produced and helped write, so you know you’re in for a treat, and this hidden-camera comedy hails from one of the dudes who brought you Jackass and Bad Grandpa. Get ready for cross-country pranks on a road trip on unsuspecting audiences who are not prepared for the mayhem. Oh, and Haddish dangles Andre off a rooftop, which sounds like a real good time.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+ series) — After WandaVision proved that Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige could still bring their A+ game, even on the small screen, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes are here for the buddy action-comedy that fans have dreamed of. Well, they hadn’t buddied up yet as of last week, so we’re still waiting for that to happen. And we’re waiting for Sharon Carter to make an entrance, all while the so-called “New Cap” question lingers in the forefront.
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (Disney+ series) — Emilio Estevez is back in this new-generation revival of the classic films. Co-starring Lauren Graham and Brady Noon, the Mighty Ducks junior hockey team is now a powerhouse in its division, and it’s brutal in selecting who can make the cut. Estevez is still the Ducks’ original coach, and he’s helping a new team of underdogs after the New Ducks boot a 12-year-old boy.
The Oprah Conversation (Apple TV+ series) — Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet laureate in U.S. history and who spoke at the Biden inauguration, will help the host celebrate legendary literary heroes and illuminate her mother and other women who have touched her life. Gorman’s one of the most influential voices of young America today, and she’ll share her hopes for the future, not only for herself but for humanity.
Tina (Saturday, HBO 8:00 p.m.) — The iconic Tina Turner gets the documentary treatment, all the way from her early life in Tennessee to her rise to meteoric fame.
SNL (Saturday, SNL 11:30 p.m.) — Emmy winner Maya Rudolph returns as host with musical guest Jack Harlow in tow.
Supermarket Sweep (Sunday, ABC 8:00 p.m.) — Leslie Jones and every bit of her enthusiasm will host contestants in this revival of the grocery-shopping game show.
Batwoman (Sunday, CW 8:00 p.m.) — Gotham’s biggest foe takes on Batwoman, and Kate’s closest associates must confront difficult decisions while Ryan’s wrestling with his feelings for Angelique.
Charmed (Sunday, CW 9:00 p.m.) — Macy’s reeling, and Maggie’s attempting to help her out by psyching out, and an ancient feud preoccupies Harry and Mel.
The Walking Dead (Sunday, AMC 9:00 p.m.) — The bonus episodes of Season 10 continue with Daryl, Carol, and Dog at a crossroads with everyone going into their own survival mode.
Q: Into the Storm: Episodes 3 & 4 (Sunday, HBO 9:00 & 10:00 p.m.) — You’ve heard all of those wild QAnon conspiracy theories, and this weekend, thia six-part documentary series begins to chronicle the movement’s evolution. Filmmaker Cullen Hoback drives into the rabbit hole to reveal how the mysterious “Q” wields conspiracies as information warfare to manipulate thinking and influence American culture.
The Gloaming (Sunday, Starz 8:00 p.m.) — Molly finds a symbol that leads her toward an important discovery: Freddie.
Shameless (Sunday, Showtime 9:00 p.m.) — Lip’s everywhere at once (mostly on Frank), which leads to Liam feeling too much responsibility and then the chaos of Frank.
City on a Hill (Sunday, Showtime 9:00 p.m.) — Season 2 of this Kevin Bacon show begins with an assistant U.S. attorney overdosing and Decourcy suspecting Jackie’s involvement. This suspicion does not go over well.
Last Week Tonight (Sunday, HBO 10:00 p.m.) — Everyone’s favorite sarcastic and satiric late-night host returned last month, and not a moment too soon. Can’t wait to see who he skewers this week.
Here are some more fresh streaming picks:
The Irregulars (Netflix series) — This series is set in 19th century London, where Dr. Watson and the elusive Sherlock Holmes enlist a group of misfits to solve supernatural crimes. Watson is said to be sinister in this series, and Holmes is simply mysterious, so this group is probably on their own to fight a dark power to save humanity, both in London and around the globe.
Cocktails and Tall Tales With Ina Garten and Melissa McCarthy (Discovery+ special) — The Barefoot Contessa herself joins forces with the award-winning actress to get boozy together (with whiskey sours) during a double-date of sorts when their husbands enter the picture. The women seem like BFFs in the making and were already big fans of each other before meeting for this special while continents apart.
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood (Netflix series) — A renowned Dragon Knight (Davion) ends up over his head in this sweeping fantasy series about how he strives to wipe the world of scourge. He ends up running into both a dragon and a princess (who’s doing duty on her own mission) while also finding himself unable to extricate himself from situations that he never would have thought possible.
Into the Dark: Blood Moon (Hulu anthology series) — A mother and her young son look for a fresh start in a small desert town, but of course, they find no relief. In fact, they find the opposite, and probing locals lead Esme to valiantly protect her son and dodge a terrifying secret before the next full moon brings… something.
Ted Lasso was the surprise hit of 2020 for many, the kind of show you didn’t quite believe your friends about when they raved that it was very good. Skepticism is part of the show’s DNA, though, and sometimes Apple TV+ shows based on commercials for NBC can actually turn into worthwhile television. Which is perhaps why watching Ted Lasso play FIFA soccer in a EA Sports tournament seems to be just as oddly compelling.
That’s right, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt played in a FIFA 21 tournament on Twitch on Friday, but in character as Lasso and Coach Beard.
Interestingly, it’s Lasso the TV show character who is playing in the tournament, not the actor who plays him on TV. Friday’s competition saw him playing against The Daily Show host Trevor Noah in a tournament hosted by streamer Castro 1021 in the FIFA Face Off tournament, which had a $25,000 prize pool going to charity.
Hey @trevornoah, we’re facing off in just a few but wanted to wish you the best of luck. I believe in many things but “trash talking” just ain’t one of them. #FIFAFACEOFF
Heading into the tournament it was entirely unclear just how good Ted Lasso is at video game soccer, as he hasn’t exactly proven himself to have a strong knowledge of the game as a coach. The team, after all (spoilers incoming!) did get relegated under his watch, though he did show plenty of heart and a penchant for whimsical turns of phrase in the process. Oh, and lots of delicious baked goods.
In any event, the EA Sports Twitch account is where all the action took place, and if you miss it the EA Sports YouTube account will likely have a replay to enjoy at your leisure as well. There were also some highlights posted to Twitter, including Lasso teaching everyone the proper way to hold a controller.
Unfortunately for him, though, his team came up short against Trever Noah’s squad. Which meant it was the host who got to give a postgame interview to rival one of Lasso’s own.
We may have witnessed the best postmatch interview of ALL TIME
Ally McBeal is reportedly joining the ever-growing list of revivals, and yes, it’s planning (trying) to bring back its original star. Calista Flockhart is in talks to reprise her career-defining role in the new-again legal drama that’s in the early stages of development for a “limited series,” according to TVLine. While the revival currently doesn’t have a home, the thinking seems to be that it will join the original series, which is currently streaming on Hulu thanks to Disney acquiring the show and its studio, 2oth Television, during its merger with Fox.
As for Ally McBeal creator David E. Kelley, he’s involved as an executive producer, but TVLine reports a “female auteur” will serve as showrunner. Kelley had hinted at an Ally McBeal revival back in 2018 when he was laying the groundwork for a second season of his HBO hit Big Little Lies. Via The Hollywood Reporter:
I do think because of the gender politics that were so part and parcel of Ally McBeal, it’s become very relevant and ripe. So, I’d be open to the idea of Ally McBeal being done again, but I don’t think it should be done by me. If it were going to be done, it really should be done by a woman. If it’s going to be new, it should be new and different. And I did it: 100 hours.
So far there’s been no talk of bringing back the Dancing Baby and Robert Downey, Jr., who was famously fired from the show in the early 2000s. (Downey was fired, not the baby.) Things worked out okay for RDJ, though, as he pulled off one of the greatest career comebacks of all time by becoming Marvel’s Iron Man. He’s since hung up his armor, though, so who knows? He might have time for a cameo. But if RDJ isn’t available, there is another now-huge leading man who did some time on Ally McBeal: Jon Hamm. In fact, the Mad Men star’s very first acting credit is “Gorgeous Guy at Bar” during the 1997 episode, “Compromising Positions.”
Or, heck, bring them both back. Who doesn’t want to see Don Draper meet Tony Stark?
For much of his WWE career, Big E has expressed himself through his wrestling gear. Beginning in 2015, he partnered with Jonathon Davenport on the design elements of his and New Day brethren Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods’ in-ring attire. Since then, the group has continued to blend the worlds of professional wrestling and their real lives with gear highlighting everything from nerd culture moments to the Black Lives Matter movement.
That was how Big E planned to express his pain after George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, when a police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. This situation, however, compelled Big E into even more action — efforts bigger than taking a knee in a WWE ring and later selling merchandise to support the NAACP legal defense fund. Like many Americans, the fallout from Floyd’s death sparked a passion to find a more long-term path to inspire the country and educate the next generation.
“This was the first time that a death of someone that I had never met, had never known, really affected me,” Big E told Uproxx Sports. “I kept thinking, ‘How do we solve systematic racism and these very big, weighty systematic issues?’ I think one of the things that’s important is education (around Black History).”
Black History, Big E explained, is more than just learning about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and slavery during the month of February. It’s a source of pride that can, and should, be celebrated year-round. That knowledge applies to children of every race and can help everyone better empathize with the plight of Black people in this country by gaining a better understanding of what they’ve endured and how strong they are.
To achieve that, Big E has teamed up with Davenport and close friend Andreas Hale to create a crowdfunded, Schoolhouse Rock-inspired animated series that’s designed to be fun and educational: Our Heroes Rock.
“For us, this is a labor of love,” Big E says. “It’s about telling a story that we think needs to be told. And Kickstarter was a way to demonstrate that people really want to see this get made. Right now, we have 1,100 backers. Our hope is that that it becomes a series and that we get to tell more of these stories.”
Should the group fulfill their aspirations to produce a full series, Big E already has a slew of ideas in mind.
“I really love the story of Ruby Bridges. It’s a 6-year-old girl, who in 1960 integrated an all-white school in New Orleans. The fact that she was born the same year as Brown v. Board of Education, I just love her story. And to think, she’s still alive. She’s 66. That’s younger than my parents,” Big E says. “And there are so many more stories. There’s Ida B. Wells, there’s James Farmer, there’s Madam C.J. Walker. There’s so many of these influential Black figures, whether they’re politicians or business people. We also think about the ability to tell stories from people of so many marginalized communities, whether it be LGBTQ, indigenous people. That’s why we titled it, ‘Our Heroes Rock,’ because we want these stories of marginalized people to not feel sectioned off in a corner, where we spend one month a year talking about them and then move on to normal history. We want to tell people this is normal history, this is American history.”
The opportunities for Our Heroes Rock are endless, and that hasn’t been lost on Big E, Davenport, and Hales. Whether the final product is attached to a streaming service, shown in schools, coloring books, children’s books, or interactive games, the sky is the limit for their blossoming idea. And for Big E, leaving that kind of a legacy is significant.
“I’ve spent almost 12 years in WWE and I don’t know if I have another 12 years in the ring,” Big E says. “So it’s been important for me now to give back to so many people who have blessed me and given me opportunities and I hope to do the same for others. I don’t worry too much about legacy in the idea of people praising me for what I did, I think that’s unimportant. But I know I want to leave a footprint that is positive and impactful and helps people. If I can do something, that when I leave the industry, when I leave this Earth, that has had a positive impact, that’s the goal.”
While Big E is focused on achieving his goals outside of the ring, the current Intercontinental champion is blazing his own trail inside the squared circle. After picking up the win on Sunday at Fastlane, Big E appears destined to continue his heated rivalry with another transformed superstar in Apollo Crews.
WWE
“As much as we butt heads lately, I have to give him a ton of credit because he stepped his game up and he’s a guy who always could get it done in the ring,” Big E says. “He’s an incredible performer and has been for quite some time. He just needed that opportunity. And it’s good to see him step out and show a different side. Too often guys like that, people will say when it’s all said and done, ‘Ah, what could have been with that really talented guy, who was a good in-ring performer.’ But now, I feel like you’re seeing some of the promise of that potential with Apollo Crews.”
Their rivalry has been elevated by the inclusion of the Intercontinental title, which in years past has been seen as a stepping stone to a World Heavyweight title run. That perspective has changed and Big E is relishing his time as champion in the build to WrestleMania.
“Some really tremendous performers have held the title,” Big E says. “As much flack as I would give Sami Zayn, he’s a guy who has had an incredible career. He’s had some ups and downs of course, but to see again, he’s a guy who reinvented himself and the stuff he was doing with he IC title, being really crafty, I thought really worked and was so unique. You’re seeing so many guys who were former world champions or future world champions hold the Intercontinental championship.
“And I love that it’s become a bit of the premiere title in many ways,” he continues. “In the past, we might’ve had some performers who were not full-time performers with the world championship and you don’t see them every week. So the Intercontinental championship is the only male singles title, at times, that you’d see on a weekly basis. The title, as we all know, has such an incredible history and it deserves to have that lineage carried on in the proper way. So that’s my goal, is to do my best, to make sure that title remains elevated and continues to be even more elevated than it is.”
Continuing to elevate the title has involved Big E’s continued transformation from New Day member Big E, to Paul Heyman’s vision of the ruthless champion. For the champ, toeing that line has been all about adding layers to his character.
“Every interesting character has layers,” Big E says. “I’m still the Big E that enjoys making people laugh. I enjoy entertaining you. But I’m not going to just lay down. When someone crosses the line with me, I want to show an intensity and in the same vein, I want to be the funniest person on the roster. In back-to-back weeks, you might laugh watching me more than you laugh watching anyone else. And then the next week, I want you to say, ‘Oh, that’s a man who is terrifying.’ I want to show layers and depth. And I feel like every performer should strive to do the same. I think being one way or the other, eventually gets old. Everyone wants to show those complex layers and I’m glad I’m getting those opportunities to show what I can do.”
That evolution and building the layers to make the Big E character unlike anything you see on WWE television has allowed him to live out a lifelong dream of approaching WrestleMania in his hometown with singles gold.
“I’m born and raised in Tampa. I played my high school all-star game when I was 17 at Raymond James. We had a bowl game when I was at the University of Iowa. I tore my ACL, but I was on the sideline when we played Florida. The city means a lot to me. It’s home and I’ve lived here my whole life besides college,” Big E says. “So to be home, with fans, and moving in the right direction when people are getting vaccinated, which is of course, something that I’d encourage anyone to do, it’s a dream come true to have WrestleMania at home as I walk in as a champion. There’s so many incredible cities that deserve to host WrestleMania. For me, selfishly, this is the one. This is number one. If I could pick any city in the world, it would be Tampa. And I’m ready for it.”
As for Big E’s WrestleMania-worthy entrance, he wouldn’t offer any hints. We’ll just have to wait until the two-night event, on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 to see what he’s got planned for the grand event, which will air live both nights on Peacock.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
