Month: July 2021

The United States women’s basketball team fell in a pre-Olympic scrimmage in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon. The Americans took on Australia at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, and despite the fact that the Aussies saw star center Liz Cambage depart from the team less than 24 hours earlier, the Opals came out on top, 70-67, marking the first time since 2011 that the U.S. lost an exhibition and the first time since 2010 that Australia defeated the United States.

A pair of Seattle Storm players led both sides, as Ezi Magbegor and Breanna Stewart each scored 17 points. Despite that, Stewart’s efficiency from the floor was a reflection of the poor afternoon the Americans had all over the place: Stewart went 6-for-16 from the field and 2-for-8 from three, with the United States shooting 25-for-67 (37.3 percent) and 2-for-18 (11.1 percent), respectively.

Those shooting woes went on for the entirety of the second half, and as a result, the No. 2 team in the world rallied from 16 points down to come out on top. While Team USA took a comfortable 41-28 lead into halftime, the Aussies came out with a chip on their shoulders in the third, outscoring the Americans in the frame, 23-13. The fourth quarter saw a 19-11 edge for the Opals, too, while the United States threw up brick after brick. Even on the game’s final possession, Stewart was able to get a look that could have forced overtime, but her attempt from behind the arc went long.

Australia was able to capitalize on a rough night for their opponents in some of the ways you expect when an underdog pulls an upset. The Opals more or less played the U.S. to a draw in the turnover battle (the Americans had 18, the Australians had 17) and went 10-for-26 from behind the arc. Beyond the big scoring night by Magbegor, Rebecca Allen’s 11 points and Stephanie Talbot’s 10 led the way.

The loss comes days after the United States fell to a team of WNBA All-Stars, and it marks the first time since 2011 that the Americans lost an exhibition game. The team has one more exhibition — a Sunday evening tilt against Nigeria — before heading over to Tokyo for the Olympics. They’ll begin their quest for a seventh consecutive gold medal on July 27 against Nigeria, with Japan and France also in their group.

“They’re the best in town, even if it’s a small town.”

That’s an official logline for Taika Waititi’s upcoming FX (on Hulu) followup to What We Do in the Shadows, and he’s heading down another rather intriguing (yet undoubtedly funny) road. the eclectic auteur’s now bringing us a comedy series, Reservation Dogs, that’s co-written by Native American filmmaker Sterlin Harjo. Yes, the teens in this show rock suits that look strikingly similar to the characters of Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and the show (according to a press release) “follows four Native teenagers in rural Oklahoma who spend their days committing crime… and fighting it.”

The trailer sees the main characters, four indigenous teens, do some hustlin’ and thievin’ in an attempt to get the hell out of dodge. In their case, dodge is rural Oklahoma — the show was shot in and near Okmulgee (the home of the Muskogee Creek tribal headquarters) — where, presumably, excitement is lacking. Not for long, though, and these teens hope to make it all the way to California.

The four stars of this show are D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (as Bear), Devery Jacobs (as Elora Denan), Paulina Alexis (as Willie Jack), and Lane Factor (as Cheese). “Cheese” must be the coolest/uncoolest character name of all time. Previously, Harjo declared “[a]s longtime friends, it was only natural that Taika and I found a project together, and what better than a show that celebrates the complementary storytelling styles of our indigenous communities–mine in Oklahoma and Taika’s in Aotearoa.”

Reservation Dogs premieres on FX on Hulu on August 9.

The cast of Saturday Night Live doesn’t have to worry about coming up with funny things to say about anything this summer, but basically everyone has to deal with questions about potential departures from the show itself. Pete Davidson, Colin Jost, and basically every notable name in the show’s current crew has had rumblings a-rumble that Season 46 may have been their last.

Cecily Strong fits that bill as well, especially since her last appearance on the May 21 episode was a wine-soaked Judge Jeanie impression that included her singing “My Way” while quite literally inside a vat of booze. If that truly was to be her swan song, however, it seems Strong herself hasn’t made a decision she’s ready to reveal just yet.

In an interview with Instyle, Strong discussed her upcoming book and another musical project she’s involved in on Apple TV+ called Schmigadoon! And while the topic of her potential Weekend Update farewell came up, there was no indication one way or another if it really is the end of her time on SNL. Strong detailed that the piece came from working with a writer on the show to top her last appearance as Judge Jeanie, leading to some high stakes for the design department.

Bryan Tucker, who I wrote that scene with, texted me earlier that week that he wanted to do Jeanine Pirro. He said, “And I want her to sing ‘My Way.’” I always have to up the ante, and since the last time [I did her] I vomited wine, I said, “Well, then, I think I should get into a big tub of wine.” And the SNL team made it happen.

But as far as an official announcement that it’s the end of her time on the show? Well, that’s not coming because she’s not sure what’s next. but it won’t be a wink and a nod on stage and nothing else.

I’ve gone back and forth, like, “Should I write something on Instagram?” But I hadn’t decided, and I still haven’t. No matter what, it was our last show [of the year]. Hopefully, I’ll figure it out before the [next] season starts. But I don’t do many things like wink, wink. I’d come out and say it.

Strong noted that she’s quite literally releasing her diary soon, so she’s not one to hint and hesitate to make things clear. But she’s happy that, if it is the end, she went out covered in purple.

But now, if I do leave, it looks great — like I did it on purpose. And if I stay, maybe I’ve built up some performance karma or something. I never know when I’m going to love something and the audience will too, so it’s always a real treat when that happens.

The castmembers of the show have been quite transparent, both onstage and off, about how difficult it was to shoot the end of Season 45 and all of Season 46 during a pandemic. The show’s grind is well-documented, and despite its place in the comedy world there are definite sacrifices that need to be made for the show to stay afloat. Right now, it seems like everyone who made the last season happen is either happy to have a break or unsure if they will be invited back. Which means we may not get any answers about what’s next for the show for a bit longer at least.

[via InStyle]

As a forward-thinking indie-pop star with her fingers firmly on the pulse of cutting-edge tech like AI, virtual reality, and NFTs, it only makes sense that Canadian singer Grimes’ first foray into the “singing competition show” phase of her career will involve a virtual component. Alter Ego a new “secret identity” singing show in the vein of Masked Singer is coming to Fox this fall, and Grimes is set to be one of the judges alongside a panel that includes fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette, reality fixture Nick Lachey, and tech aficionado Will.i.am. BET’s Rocsi Diaz is set to host.

The concept will build on Masked Singer‘s anonymous talent gimmick but add in elements of the Second Life game and Space Jam, with contestants creating digital avatars for their performances — which they’ll control using motion-capture technology. Fox’s president of alternative entertainment and specials said of the show, “Alter Ego merges talent and technology to revolutionize the singing competition show in only a way Fox can do. We are so excited to bring the fantastic Will.i.am, Alanis, Grimes, Nick, and Rocsi together as they search for the next big singing star, allowing incredible vocalists a chance to realize their dreams and perform like never before.”

Alter Ego will air Wednesdays this fall on Fox.

Republican clout chaser and Grandpa Munster cosplayer Senator Ted Cruz is now entering the #FreeBritney chat.

Cruz, who probably should be more concerned with the rising Covid rates in Texas and the state’s failing power grid, recently gave an interview on Fox News in which he proudly threw his support behind Britney Spears. The pop star’s legal battle over her decade-long conservatorship has dominated headlines in recent weeks as fans learn even more disturbing details about the singer’s current living situation. Some of those updates just haven’t sat right with Cruz, who told Fox News he was “unequivocally” in the “Free Britney camp.”

“What’s happened to her is ridiculous and it’s unjustifiable,” Cruz told host Stuart Varney on his show. “She’s a grown woman and yet she can’t make any decisions about her own life.” Cruz then went on to plug his podcast — he dedicated an entire episode to explaining conservatorships to listeners who, like us, might have been wondering why a Texas senator who’s so publicly failing his constituents seems so invested in the legal saga of a former Mouseketeer.

Then again, Cruz probably just saw Spears was trending on Twitter and saw a chance to score more clicks. The GOP’s most-loathed mascot definitely socialed his #FreeBritney campaign on his timeline:

And he’s not the only politician taking notice of the singer’s plight. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey recently sent out letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, asking for the data on conservatorships and guardianship arrangements in an effort to bolster Spears’ case. The support from both sides of the political aisle when it comes to Spears’ fight did not go unnoticed by Twitter, either.

It looks like Britney Spears may have been the key to bipartisanship all along.

Success means different things to different people. For rapper and producer Thurz, seeing his name on a marquee didn’t quite resonate. He longed for something more meaningful and rooted in the community that helped him develop a fan base and find his voice.

“Moving in the music space you always get pulled to perform in Hollywood,” Thurz says. “But none of those venues are owned by people of color.”

Recognizing that fact prompted the rhymer to create Party In My Living Room, a grassroots effort to bring production value to the classic neighborhood function and foster a space where he could perform for people in the community he grew up in. Hailing from Inglewood, California, Thurz credits the house party culture of the Los Angeles suburb with changing his ideas on what a live space could (or should) be,

“Being a local here, house parties are really part of the culture,” he says. “Every weekend there was a party at one of my auntie’s and uncle’s houses, letting me know that people can have a good time in spaces that they live in. With Party In My Living Room, I wanted to bring production value into nontraditional spaces, the intention behind that was to give a place for people to come that we can really be ourselves, and celebrate the music that we love.”

In the five-plus years that Party In My Living Room has been around, Thurz has taken it from a self-produced, self-funded experiment to a full-blown events business. He’s hosted parties in different cities across the country, from Inglewood to Atlanta to Miami.

“I think that Party In My Living Room represents that if you have an idea and you take action and you’re willing to take risks to do it yourself, then there will be a community around to come help you,” Thurz says.

Watch the video above to learn more about Thurz’s journey, how he continues to blur the lines between the neighborhood function and music venue, and how Party In My Living Room has gone from just a dream to an important space for like-minded creators. Be sure to keep an eye out for additional episodes from our Salud to Summer series, created in partnership with Modelo.

The Good Place star Jameela Jamil has officially confirmed her role in the upcoming She-Hulk series for Disney+. In a video posted to her Twitter account on Friday, Jamil showed off her intense fight training along with an inspirational message that ends with an adorable baby photo of Jamil striking a fierce fighting pose.

“I can’t believe I get to say this but… Fighting my way through the MCU, coming to you in 2022! #SheHulk #AnythingIsPossibleKids” the video captions read.

Jamil’s She-Hulk casting was reported by Variety last month, but like all things Marvel, there was no official confirmation until now. The actor is reportedly set to play the villainous Titania, and judging from her training video, she’ll be throwing down with Tatiana Maslany‘s She-Hulk. Despite Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige revealing that the show will be a half-hour legal comedy, it’s clearly not going to skimp on the action if Jamil is hitting the gym to prepare for a superhero brawl.

In an interesting wrinkle, the latest Shang-Chi trailer revealed that the upcoming martial arts movie will lay the groundwork for the return of Tim Roth’s Abomination. The Incredible Hulk villain is slated to appear in She-Hulk, but before that happens, Marvel has officially confirmed that, yes, that was Roth’s character fighting Wong from Doctor Strange in the Shang-Chi trailer.

Could Jamil be prepping for a battle with Abomination as well as She-Hulk? Why not both? These Disney+ shows are wild. They have alligators and everything.

(Via Jameela Jamil on Twitter)

100 Foot Wave (Sunday, HBO 10:00pm) — This six-part sports-documentary series follows the decade-long journey of Garrett McNamara, the pioneering and iconic surfer who dreamed of conquering (as the title indicates) a 100-foot wave, which did more than push his sport to literally higher heights while also elevating a small fishing village. Emmy and Globe winner Joe Lewis executive produces alongside award winner Chris Smith, who also directs.

Schmigadoon!: Season 1 (Apple TV+ series) — If a musical comedy series starring Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jane Krakowski sounds a little bit too frenetic to you, consider this: Apple TV+ has been crushing the comedy game these days with the likes of Mythic Quest and Ted Lasso under its still-young belt. So, one can bet that if a series called Schmigadoon! can succeed, the show found the correct streaming home. The premise might sound a bit like a horror movie, but it’s intended to be (bizarrely) romantic with a bang-up cast that demands a streaming shot.

American Horror Stories: Season 1 (FX on Hulu series) — This spinoff of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s long-lived, anthology-based franchise will present a new iteration of horror. Viewers will receive a fresh set of terrors within every episode, after the flagship series already dove through an unsettling asylum, a freak shows, a haunted hotels, a coven, and the apocalypse. It’s not as scary as the real America, but close.

These streaming picks make great appetizers:

Shark Week 2021 (Discovery+ event) — The annual shark-involved festivities bring several new offerings, including a Jackass special (which is predictably banal) and Eli Roth’s FIN. In his documentary, Roth and a group of scientists and activists travel the globe to shine a light on how mankind kills (many) millions of sharks every year, often through a vast criminal enterprise that could render these animals extinct within a decade. The movie’s co-produced by Leo DiCaprio, and here’s more select picks for the week: Great White Comeback, Stranger Sharks, Tiger Queen, Extinct or Alive: Jaws of Alaska, Rogue Tiger Shark: The Hunt for Lagertha, Envoy: Shark Cull, and The Great Hammerhead Stakeout.

Back to some more regularly scheduled programming:

The White Lotus: (Sunday, HBO 9:00pm) — Mike White’s new series skewers the ultra-wealthy in what turns out to be a brilliant satire on how obscene wealth rots everything that it touches. It’s like The Love Boat or Fantasy Island had a lovechild with Agatha Christie, and this week, Armond’s attempting to deal with horrible Shane while Rachel disastrously asks Nicole for advice.

Wellington Paranormal: (Sunday, CW 9:00pm) — What We Do In The Shadows fans rejoice because you’re receiving a spinoff mockumentary series with the same comedy-horror tone from creators and executive producers Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. This week, Officers O’Leary and Minogue end up at a mysterious party while answering a noise-complaint call.

Betty: (Friday, HBO 11:00pm) — The main players are all back: Rachelle Vinberg as Camille, Ajani Russell as Indigo, Dede Lovelace as Janay, Moonbear as Honeybear, and Nina Moran as Kirt. This week, the party is over, while confessions and new beginnings shine through the conflict.

Kevin Can F**k Himself (Sunday, AMC 9:00 p.m.) — Kevin’s somehow having two birthday dinners because of course, all while Patty has a date with Tammy.

Rick and Morty (Sunday, Adult Swim, 11:00pm) — Rick and Jerry have a completely terrible guys’ night while Summer and Morty, uh, steal Rick’s car.

The Chi (Sunday, Showtime, 9:00pm) — Emmett and Tiff go out on the town while Kevin and Papa are focused on getting back in their ladies’ good graces.

Black Monday (Sunday, Showtime, 10:00pm) — Dawn’s preparing for her next (literal) move, but Mo’s attempt to help her didn’t go as planned, and Blair realizes that the call’s coming from inside the house.

Flatbush Misdemeanors (Sunday, Showtime, 10:30pm) — Zayna’s responsible for Drew’s dad’s predicament, which leads to her attempting to save her own butt. Meanwhile, Kevin and Drew are on another mission.

Desus & Mero (Sunday, Showtime, 11:00pm) — Cynthia Erivo is the illustrious guest.

Here are more streaming picks for the weekend:

Space Jam: A New Legacy (Warner Bros. film on HBO Max) — Somehow, this film’s the most controversial entry of the year, and all that fuss isn’t paying off because oh boy, the reviews are not fantastic. Even without Pepe Le Pew, this film sounds like a stinker, but at least it’s weird enough that those who can’t resist won’t be bored. LeBron James rallies Lola Bunny (Zendaya) and the rest of his animated pals against the “Goons,” a new gathering of pro basketball stars in order to get home after being trapped in digital space. There’s a rogue A.I. who’s the villain here? It sounds, uh, wild.

McCartney 3,2,1: Season 1 (Hulu series) — The legend himself (yes, Paul McCartney) sits down with Rick Rubin to get real about his work and legacy from The Beatles, along with his five decades as a solo artist. This is a six-part series the aims to be much more revelatory than your usual pop-culture documentary, which is fitting, given that we’re talking about an iconic musician.

Dr. Death (Peacock limited series) — This true-crime series tells the story of Dr. Christopher Duntch, whose homicidal ways left dozens of victims in his career’s wake. Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater play the medical colleagues who attempt to stop the mayhem and help bring him to justice. The story’s based upon the Dr. Death podcast, and the prosecutor on the case (portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb) will stop at nothing to indict the healthcare system that helped Duntch bury his misdeeds for years. The doc is so chillingly portrayed by Joshua Jackson that this show might freak Dawson’s Creek fans the hell out.

Loki: Episode 6 (Disney+ series) — Season finale time has arrived, and don’t worry, the show’s already renewed for Season 2. Well, it’s a damn good thing, too, because Tom Hiddleston has an absolute blast playing the mercurial trickster of the MCU, and the timeline troubles shall continue. This week, there’s a crushing moment, and there’s also a new big bad cruising into Phase 4. This is the best Disney+ show so far, and Loki’s so beloved that you might binge the whole thing all over again.

Heist: Season 1 (Netflix series) — Three of America’s greatest heists shall be examined in the finest of detail here by the people who did the heisting. These adventures include a Vegas casino heist, a Miami airport heist, and a a Kentucky bourbon heist. The shooting style here aims for Ocean’s Eleven and Catch Me If You Can, and the planning of these heists is flat-out meticulous, so it’s no wonder that the initial heisting went well. However, one must realize that these heisters were eventually busted, so there’s that part of the story, too. Crime doesn’t pay in the long-term, kids.

Fear Street Part 3: 1666 (Netflix film) — The trilogy’s final installment brings the franchise to a head when Sarah Fier’s curse finally gets its origin story. In the end, you’ll see how Shadyside’s residents all feel their lives changed on one fateful night, which will reverberate from many generations to come. R.L. Stein’s stories light up here with a a climactic hurrah. Naturally, you’ll wanna check out the 1978 and 1994 editions before hitting this one.

Never Have I Ever: Season 2 (Netflix series) — Mindy Kaling’s brainchild (one of them, at least… there are so many) returns with more coming-of-age comedy. Devi’s making more questionable decisions along the way (that’s obligatory) while fumbling around through the finer points within new relationships. She does, however, face an out-of-her-control dilemma at school when “another Indian girl who is prettier, cooler” arrives on the scene. Expect more drama at home, too, as this beloved series continues to celebrate the awkwardness of adolescence.

Maria Taylor became one of the most talked-about broadcasters in sports in recent weeks, as her contract negotiations with ESPN have become engulfed in controversy, speculation, and dogged reporting. But despite concerns that Taylor would leave ESPN in the lurch as her contract expired, apparently that is no longer the case.

On the heels of an explosive report about Rachel Nichols and her grievances with Taylor taking the NBA Finals pregame hosting duties for ESPN last year, Taylor’s negotiations with the network about a new deal were given new light. Subsequent reporting indicated the host and sideline reporter would leave ESPN for NBC sometime during the month to jump on that network’s Olympic coverage.

But according to The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch, Taylor will stay with ESPN until at least the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

Deitsch amended his reporting to include the obvious — the Finals will go at least six games, as the series is tied at 2-2 as of Friday afternoon. But the result remains the same: Despite reports that Taylor could jump to NBC before the Finals concludes, the sides worked out an agreement to keep the broadcast consistent until the Larry O’Brien Trophy is awarded later this month.

There’s been nothing officially announced about Taylor’s future from anyone involved, but the path seems clear that once the Finals wraps up, Taylor will move on and her soon-to-be former employer will replace her with someone else in that role.

Remember how it felt like every character in 2016’s Suicide Squad got two introductions and it took up half the movie? The Suicide Squad shouldn’t have that issue. For one thing, James Gunn is an economic screenwriter who’s able to make exposition funny. That’s no easy task. Also, we already know Harley Quinn, Rick Flag, and Captain Boomerang, and many of the new character identities speak for themselves. King Shark is a… shark (and a Harley Quinn animated series legend), Weasel is a… weasel, Ratcatcher 2 controls… rats, and Polka-Dot Man is a… man who throws polka-dots.

‘The Suicide Squad’ Team

But just in case you’re having trouble remembering Bloodshot from The Thinker, Warner Bros. has released an “In on the Action” featurette that breaks down every character’s “thing.” Bloodsport is a “grumpy guy,” according to Idris Elba, while John Cena describes Peacemaker as a “douchey bro but a patriot at the same time.” As for the others:

-King Shark is “just really stupid, but he’s also really kind”
-Polka-Dot Man is a “product of an experiment gone wrong”
-Ratcatcher 2 “controls and can talk with rats”
-Mongal has “super strength, super speed,” and she’s a “super bitch”
-Savant is a “distinctive-looking chap” who’s “very quiet” and “very powerful”
-T.D.K. is “a guy who’s arms and legs come off, that’s his only power”
-Javelin is “sexy” with “blonde hair” and a “very large toothpick”

Pete Davidson doesn’t say much about his character, Blackguard, other than he has a long purple ponytail in the comics. He’s still more useful than the Joker.

The Suicide Squad hits theater and HBO Max on August 6.