Month: September 2021

Warring news anchors, a coming-of-age-comedy, and the newest Clint Eastwood movie. The streaming game stuffs itself full of possibilities this week with a tie for first-place between Hulu and Apple TV+. The former’s slightly edging out all of its competition due to the FX On Hulu label really heating up with several selections (Reservation Dogs, Y: The Last Man, and The Premise) along with The Only Murders In The Building and What We Do In The Shadows on tap. The latter’s bringing the latest season of the A-list-cast from The Morning Show with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon in the lead, along with Billy Crudup adding some slime and Steve Carell going through, well, some stuff. Apple TV+ also has more See and Ted Lasso, and it still feels slightly unexpected that a tech giant is dominating with content, but here we are.

Meanwhile, Netflix (with its usual buffet of content) and HBO Max (with Cry Macho and more) can’t be stopped, and Amazon Prime has some new options and a few standout carryovers, including LuLaRich (the latest from the Fyre Fraud directors). Don’t count out Disney+, AMC+, or Peacock, either. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by it all, so here’s the best of the new streaming selections for this weekend.

Hulu

Y: The Last Man (FX on Hulu) — The acclaimed graphic novel gets its due as a dystopian TV drama starring Diane Lane as the globe’s de facto president. Her son becomes, as the title suggests, the very last man on Earth following an apocalyptic event that pretty much obliterates the Y chromosome. FX recently made it known that although the Y appears to refer to the chromosome, the show will take a nuanced approach and not operate on a merely gender-binary level. It also won’t adhere to the biological definition of gender and, instead, will also represent trans characters in accordance with a GLAAD collaboration.

Reservation Dogs: (FX on Hulu) — Taika Waititi’s FX on Hulu followup to What We Do in the Shadows brings us a comedy series that’s co-written by Native American filmmaker Sterlin Harjo. The show (which has some Atlanta vibes) was shot in and near Okmulgee, Oklahoma. This week, Elora Danan, uh, takes her driver’s test. A little late?

Only Murders In The Building: Season 1 (Hulu series) — Selena Gomez stars alongside the legendary Steve Martin and Martin Short, and the three portray NYC neighbors who aim to unravel an apparent murder inside their apartment building. Yes, they’re all podcasting because everyone does it (duh), and before long, the killer might be after them, too.

The Premise (FX on Hulu series) — B.J. Novak (The Office, Inglourious Basterds) writes all of the episodes on this show, which aims to use dark comedy to tackle tough topics, including sex, social media, Black Lives Matter, police brutality, and immigration. Along the way, there’s apparently the “the worst sex tape ever,” and this show aims for satire (which is not easy to pull off, especially with such hot-button topics) with mixed results.

What We Do in the Shadows (FX series) — Well, well, well. Guillermo turned out to be a vampire killer, which sure as heck came as a surprise to Nandor, Nadja, and Laszlo, and Colin. The four Staten Island roommates must figure out how to handle this conundrum, along with tackling the other challenges of this season. In addition, the vamps also receive a higher level of powers while Nandor experiences an eternal-life crisis, which forces him to examine whether he should be a bachelor for eternity or embrace love. This week, it’s doomed road-trip time.

Apple TV+

The Morning Show: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — The gang (Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Billy Crudup, at least) is back for a new round of attempting to evade the scandal-plagued nature of their business. This season, we’ll not only see more of Steve Carell but also Hasan Minhaj and Julianna Margulies as everyone’s positioning themselves, and they’re clawing at each other on their way to the top. Alex and Bradley still can’t stand each other, despite a certain level of begrudging respect. Things will get intense, as well, with the continued #MeToo theme and also some edging into the systemic racism issue while barbs are thrown, both on-and-off camera.

See: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — Apple TV+’s See helped launch the tech giant’s streaming service less than two years ago, and the show was so wild and wooly that it worked. Jason Momoa’s back in fur coats and in warrior mode as Baba Voss. This season, he’s antagonized by Dave Bautista, which should add enough drama to keep the (somewhat silly) story alive, in a world where no one can see, but everyone is beautiful to look at from an audience standpoint.

Ted Lasso: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — First thing’s first: Everyone who’s caught a glimpse of this Bill Lawrence co-created and developed series loves it. That’s a notable feat, considering that star Jason Sudeikis first portrayed the title character way back in 2013 for NBC Sports’ promos for Premier League coverage. Fast forward to the fresh hell that was 2020, and the show surfaced as one of the year’s lone bright spots. Ted Lasso is somehow both relentlessly and charmingly cheery, although there’s always the spectre of Led Tasso to consider.

Netflix

Sex Education: Season 3 (Netflix series) — This Gillian Anderson-starring series returns, so that the X-Files and The Crown actress can continue embarrassing the heck out of her TV son, Otis (Asa Butterfield), who is apparently now having casual sex. Jemima Kirke is officially onboard, too, as a headteacher named Hope, who desperately wants to restore Moordale Secondary School to its former sterling reputation. Uh, good luck with that? Also, Anderson’s character is pregnant. Oh, Mom.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Netflix series) — Kevin Smith’s recent Masters of the Universe: Revelation sequel series sparked some overwrought backlash after continuing He-Man and Skeletor’s story in a way that some nerds didn’t enjoy, given that there was plenty of focus (like the original series) on other characters. Well, here’s a kid-appealing update of the classic ’80s cartoon, and this one has a much different feel with a He-Man-focused story, so maybe that will make the angry people happy? It’s got a whole lot of dude-on-bony-dude battling, looks like, while they fight for the ultimate control of Eternia and Castle Grayskull.

You vs. Wild: Out Cold (Netflix interactive special) — Bear Grylls can’t stop punishing himself with interactive specials, in which viewers can choose the most entertaining paths for him after he sets out to survive harsh elements, this time in ice-ravaged mountains. Bear’s asking the audience to help him (and his pilot) get out of harm’s way, but who knows what will really happen. Do we think Bear Grylls will try to drink his pee and discover it is frozen while dressed like a Thrones character? I can’t wait to find out.

Chicago Party Aunt (Netflix series) — This half-hour animated series aims for laughs and revolves around the title character with the following mantra: “If life gives you lemons, turn that shit into Mike’s Hard Lemonade.” This one ain’t for the kids.

The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals: Season 2 (Netflix series) — In case you wanted to live vicariously in more ways that one (to forget the pandemic and dream beyond your budget), behold more incredible properties that will make envious.

Too Hot To Handle: Latino: Season 1 premiere (Netflix series) — This frustratingly horny dating show’s all about figuring out whether any of the sexy singles can withstand the no-kissing and no-heavy-petting and no-masturbation rules of the house, this time with contestants from LATAM and Spain. It’s somehow sexy but not-sexy at the same time, and the show’s inspired by a Seinfeld episode, in which Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer all tried super-hard to withstand the urge to self-pleasure themselves.

Nailed It!: Season 6 (Netflix series) — This whackadoodle baking series will cover multiple new themes this season, including paranormal pastries and some hot messes of chocolate masterpieces. On a separate note, the show will also include a Black history-themed round of sweet-treat competition.

Lucifer: The Final Season (Netflix series) — The Devil is back for one last dance-of-a-rodeo in Season 6, and naturally, Lucifer Morningstar is still a total pain in the tush, and you’ll love him for it. Fortunately, he’s no longer attempting to be a detective. Lucifer is now God (don’t ask), and if he doesn’t get with the new program, he’s liable to trigger the apocalypse of all apocalypses. This is one last, fan-requested hurrah for a Netflix-resurrected series, and Neil Gaiman’s creation will live on in fans’ hearts and, most likely while resolving that Unresolved Sexual Tension, their pants as well.

HBO Max

Cry Macho (Warner Bros. movie on HBO Max) — Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this story about an ex-rodeo star and failed horse breeder who falls upon tough times in the late 1970s. He ends up on a challenging journey of redemption while fetching a young boy from Mexico back to his father in Texas. Along the way, the grizzled horseman ends up teaching the boy how to be a decent man, and apparently, that involves showing emotions at times. Who knew?

Scenes From A Marriage (HBO limited series on HBO Max) — Here’s the project that Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain were firing up on the red carpet last weekend. This miniseries remakes Ingmar Bergman’s 1970s project original as directed by HBO regular Hagai Levi with a contemporary spin, including all of the love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage, and divorce that one would expect. Considering the Isaac-Chastain chemistry on hand, it’s a remake worth perusing.

Malignant (Warner Bros. film on HBO Max) — The Conjuring Universe architect and Aquaman director goes back to horror to scare the pants off you in your own living rooms. This time around, James Wan brings us the story of a woman who’s tormented by what she believes are mere waking visions of murders, yet they turn out to be all too realistic. Wan doesn’t swing and miss when it comes to terrifying tales, and Warner Bros. is encouraging us to get into the Halloween spirit early.

A La Calle (HBO Max movie) — This documentary follows ordinary Venezuelans as they make extraordinary efforts to reclaim their country (and their democracy) from a dictator that’s ruined the country in almost every sense of the word. Opposition figures, everyday citizens, and the acting interim president will surface through exclusive interviews.

Amazon Prime

LuLaRich — (Amazon Prime docuseries) — This four-parter from the Fyre Fraud documentarians asks the question of what happens leggings become the subject of a pyramid scheme. Well, it ain’t good, and this project tells the cautionary tale of ruined lives and vast social-media circles that became embroiled in one tacky hot mess.

The Mad Women’s Ball (Amazon Prime film) — Inglourious Basterds star Melanie Laurent directs and stars in this terrifying French film about a woman whose family institutionalizes her in the late 1880s. Before long, the film exposes the harsh treatment of women during that period, as the battle between science and faith isn’t even close to be resolved at that time. Laurent stars as a not-so-friendly nurse to the the young woman, and there’s a supernatural twist that eventually brings women together.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (20th Century Studios film on Amazon Prime) — Here’s the movie adaptation of the hit stage musical about a teenager, Jamie, who doesn’t want a career and, instead, hopes to become a drag queen. He puts that plan into motion whole vanquishing prejudice and bullies with the help of his friends and mom, and before all is said and done, Jamie’s firmly in the spotlight.

Disney+

What If…? (Disney+ series) — We’re in the multiverse, baby. The MCU’s officially launching headfirst into that realm after Loki, so these alternate realities that stand separate from the existing canon (thus far), including Agent Carter taking the super-soldier serum, T’Challa materializing as Star Lord, and Black Widow and Nick Fury taking on a murder mystery while Tony Stark eats a donut. Dr. Strange gets the tearjerking treatment, and… zombies.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.: Season 1 (Disney+ series) — This reboot (of the original ABC Doogie Howser show that launched Neil Patrick Harris’ career) series stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a high-school medical prodigy. Notably, this series isn’t a direct continuation but, instead, a tribute of sorts from the show’s characters, who actually nickname the new protagonist as “Doogie.” It’s highly referential, and that’s part of the fun.

Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles (Disney+ film) — Billie Eilish headlines this concert film that follows her newest album, Happier Than Ever, with an intimate performance from the Hollywood Bowl stage. Robert Rodriguez and Patrick Osbourne co-direct, and expect some dreamlike and animated elements as Eilish celebrates her Los Angeles roots with help from singer-songwriter FINNEAS.

AMC+

Kin: (AMC+ series) — Charlie Cox stars in this new Irish series about a tight-knit crime family that’s drawn into wartime mode with a mighty drug kingpin. The family soon discovers that this is an unwinnable war, yet as the losses begin to mount, it becomes clear that the cartel is at one distinct disadvantage: they’re not bound by unbreakable blood bonds. The cartel does, however, have a host of exotic pets and some snazzy costumes and celebrity status, so this is a heck of a story.

The Walking Dead: Season 11A (AMC series) — This zombie-apocalypse universe’s flagship series returns for one final rodeo with two spinoffs still in motion, so it’s time to wrap this puppy up before the various shows’ timelines begin to intersect. Negan’s no longer the show’s villain, Alpha’s been vanquished, and Carol’s about to split from the group. It’s impressive that Norman Reedus has stuck it out for the long haul, so Daryl and Carol must end this show by literally riding off into the sunset by motorcycle. We’ll accept nothing else.

Peacock

Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol (Peacock series) — The international bestseller is here to translate those thrills to the small screen. Settle in for Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon’s earliest adventures, which include saving his kidnapped mentor while squashing a global conspiracy by defeating a ton of deadly puzzles.

Frogger: (Peacock series) — The classic, squish-filled arcade game gets the adaptation treatment from Holey Moley producers Eureka Productions. Damon Wayans Jr. hosts as contestants attempt to conquer a series of lily pads while attempting to win the cash prizes that are, surely, more valuable to them than the moving vehicles or flooded streets that they attempt to conquer. Obstacles will include Frogs in Space and Frog Skull Island.

The hip-hop community lost an important figure earlier this summer in Biz Markie after the rapper passed away following complications with Type II diabetes. His death came a year after he was hospitalized for the same complications. Markie was a member of New York’s Juice Crew alongside figures like Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, Kool G Rap. Two months to the date of Markie’s death, it was announced on Thursday that the late rapper would be honored with his own street in his hometown of Patchogue, Long Island.

“HONORARY STREET NAMING DEDICATION!” the late rapper’s wife Tara Davis wrote in an Instagram post. “In honor of the contributions Biz has achieved as an actor, beatboxer, DJ and philanthropist, his hometown of Patchogue Long Island will honor him with the renaming of South Street to Biz Markie Way!” David added that the event would take place on Saturday, September 25 at 2 pm EST behind the 6th District Court at 150 West Main Street.

In the post, Davis also added that all are welcome to attend. She also thanked Of Colors Collective@Artspace, Patchogue Villiage’s Mayor, Paul Pontieri, and The Greater Patchogue Foundation for helping to make the street name in honor of Markie a reality.

The announcement comes after a funeral service for Markie was held early last month. Shanté, DJ Cutmaster Cool V, Montell Jordan, Reverend Al Sharpton, Fat Joe, Ice-T, Erick Sermon, Parish Smith, Redman, Big Daddy Kane, Kid Capri, De La Soul’s Maseo, and more were among those in attendance.

Equiano Rum is putting out some of the finest expressions in rum today. The brand, created by international rum champion Ian Burrell, bridges the worlds of Caribbean and African rums in a single bottle. It’s more than that though. The brand also highlights to work of 18th-century abolitionist, scholar, and writer Olaudah Equiano. The rum follows the story of Equiano on his incredible and harrowing journey through life from Africa to the Americas and Europe by blending rums from those corners of the world.

Last year, we were blown away by the release of their first expression, a dark rum. Recently, we were entranced by a new “Light” rum release that leans more towards mixing while still holding onto its sip-ability.

While light rums tend to feel more like mixers only, Equiano Light truly excels at upping the game on what great light rum can be. It’s a sipper and a mixer — so let’s get into what’s in the bottle!

Equiano Light

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $46

The Rum:

The heart of this rum is a combination of aged dark rums from Foursquare in Barbados. Those rums are rendered from rich molasses before they’re aged pretty much right on the beach. That rum is blended with Gray’s rum from Mauritius. That rum is made from fresh sugar cane juice, bringing the “light” to the mix.

Tasting Notes:

You get a big dose of fresh sugar cane juice on the nose that’s been cut with bright and dark spices and oily vanilla next to green apples and ripe pineapple. The palate has a delicate balance of tropical fruits next to coconut creaminess, a dash of woody spice, and a mild molasses sweetness with a small stringy sugar cane greenness. The finish is short and sweet and leaves you with that fruit, stringy sugar cane sweetness, and a touch more of the woody spice with a final creamy coconut mouthfeel.

The Bottle:

The bottles are hefty and unique with a narrow base and wide top. The cork isn’t too big but has a little weight to it. The label is just a logo on the glass, allowing the beautiful light straw color of the rum to shine through.

Bottom Line:

This is really easy drinking. There’s enough going on to drink this over a rock or in a highball, allowing more of those flavors to come to the surface. Of course, it’s also the perfect candidate for all your fruity, spicy, and funky rum cocktails year-round.

Ranking:

90/100 — For a light rum, this is extraordinarily delicious and delicate with zero rough edges.

Since 2001, Hard Knocks has been must-see television for NFL fans and casual football observers. The documentary-style production from HBO and NFL films traditionally follows a single team during training camp and the preseason, chronicling the preparation with impressive access and the ability to showcase top-level storytelling to a mass audience. On Thursday, however, it was announced that Hard Knocks would be shifting gears and breaking new ground with its first-ever in-season production, and the program will follow the Indianapolis Colts during what the organization hopes will be an impressive regular season and playoff run.

The new show will debut on Nov. 17, with a planned release each Wednesday evening. In addition, the announcement was revealed on NFL Network, and it was also stated that the Colts will be followed during a playoff run, if they can reach the postseason.

This isn’t the first time that a second team will be monitored, as the 2020 edition followed both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers during a pandemic-challenged training camp. Still, the transition from the 2021 preseason following the Dallas Cowboys to an in-season look at the Colts will be intriguing, and Indianapolis has plenty of storylines to monitor with a new quarterback in Carson Wentz and a team that won 11 games a year ago.

It will certainly be interesting to see what kind of format this show takes, particularly as the Colts are going through game-plan activities with specific opponents in mind. After two decades and 18 Emmy’s, though, the duo of NFL Films and HBO have earned the benefit of the doubt, and this should be an entertaining watch, particularly for Colts fans.

The Los Angeles Sparks are fighting for their playoff lives as the WNBA season nears its conclusion, needing to pile up wins to reel in the Washington Mystics and earn that eighth and final spot, entering Thursday night’s battle with the Atlanta Dream a game back with two games to play.

The Sparks would start slow but rally back to beat the Dream 74-68, moving them just a half game back of the Mystics, with Brittney Sykes (17 points), Nneka Ogwumike (15 points, 10 rebounds), and Te’a Cooper (14 points) leading the way in the critical win. However, as was the case four days ago, the show-stealer for the Sparks was Erica Wheeler, whose crossover stepback at the elbow has become the WNBA’s most dangerous move to defend.

Early this week, it was Sue Bird who fell victim to Wheeler’s stepback, as the future Hall of Famer got dropped to the floor as Wheeler pulled the string on her. On Thursday night, Dream guard Odyssey Sims had the unfortunate task of trying to stay with Wheeler and fell to the same fate when Erica pulled it back and Sims simply couldn’t stop her momentum from taking her to the ground.

Sims is looking for the pushoff call on the play, but as we watch this over (and over and over) on replays, there doesn’t appear to be much there. I too would be calling for a pushoff, whether it was true or not, and this one, more than the Bird play, looks like there may be a touch of contact. Still, it’s a filthy move and Wheeler has clearly dialed this one in, so WNBA defenders need to take note that if she drives right, be ready to throw on the brakes or just live with over-running it, because if she catches you off balance, you’re going to end up on that night’s highlight reel.

In August, Drakeo The Ruler had a Uber ride cut short after he was pulled over by LAPD officers. While some would have thought that officers would have approached the Uber driver, the rapper himself was asked to step out of the vehicle where he was then arrested and hit with a charge of “excon with a gun,” as the rapper’s arrest record says.

The rapper documented the entire arrest in an Instagram Live stream the captured most of his conversation with officers. Drakeo was later released on bail, but according to him, he has yet to receive the belongings that were taken during the arrest.

“SO THE @LapdHarborDiv WONT RELEASE MY ROLLS ROYCE KEYS TO MY CAR WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WIT MY CASE AND MY JEWERLY ALSO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GETTIN ILLEGALLY PULLED OVER IN A UBER,” Drakeo wrote in a tweet on Thursday. “RELEASE MY PROPERTY OR MY ATTORNEYS WILL BE GOING THREW THE PROPER PROCEDURES TO GET IT BACK.”

In a second tweet, Drakeo wrote, “Another thing THAT WAS SAID IS THAT THE DA ON THE CASE TOLD THEM DONT RELEASE NONE OF MY STUFF UNTIL SHE REVIEWED THE CASE AGAIN.” He continued, “NOT A DRUG CASE , robbery case nor burglary case where you don’t know know where the funds are ima millionaire rapper and this is clearly a tactic TO MESS WIT MY NOW IF I WENT DOWN THE NEXT ROUTE AND filed a lawsuits SENSE INTERNAL AFFAIRS ALREADY REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT GETTING ARRESTED BY @LapdHarborDiv AND APPARENTLY THE OFFICER WHO PULLED THE UBER DRIVER OVER HAS A OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING WHERE SOMEONE DIDNT COMPLY.”

You can view his tweets above.

Artists from all corners of the music world have long voiced their frustration with the current format of the music streaming business. In short, artists want a higher share of the revenue made from streams and it’s something an up-and-coming streaming platform, Audius, is aiming to accomplish.

This goal seemingly convinced Nas and Pusha T to sign on as investors, as the company recently announced. The rappers join a list of artists that include Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, Steve Aoki, Chainsmokers, and Disclosure — according to a press release — as names who invested in the company.

“I believe [blockchains] might be the most important technology to ever hit the music industry,” Nas said in a statement. “Everyone who uploads to Audius can be an owner. You can’t say that about any other platform.” The company launched back in 2018 as a streaming service based on blockchain technology, which is also used to support NFTs and cryptocurrency. Audius also announced a $5 million round of strategic funding that would begin today.

Audius also boasts a sizable cast of investors that are music executives. They include Sony/ATV Music Publishing CEO Martin Bandier, Madonna and U2’s longtime manager Guy Oseary, and manager Mark Gillespie, whose clients include Frank Ocean and Calvin Harris. Speaking about Audius, Bandier said, “The blockchain is enabling entirely new revenue streams for artists and creators, like NFTs, social currency, and curation.” He added, “Audius is not only using the blockchain to add potentially significant revenue streams for artists, but it also allows them to cooperatively own the platform itself.”

The company’s highlight aspect is the fact that through blockchain technology, 90% of earnings from monetized streams would go to the artists and the remaining 10% would be given to the community that keeps Audius alive.

One of our favorite things about Shake Shack is the fast-casual chain’s constantly rotating seasonal menu. Sure, it can be a bit hit or miss, but new food gives us something to be excited about and provides the perfect excuse to hit Shake Shack even though you swore to yourself you’re finally going to learn to cook more than five things this year so you can start eating at home more. You’ll get around to home cooking come Friendsgiving season because this month Shake Shack is launching some new shakes, and they’re only available for a limited time!

Now admittedly, new milkshakes aren’t as exciting as something like a new chicken sandwich, but considering Shake Shack linked up with fellow New York-based brand Milk Bar for this double shake release, we’re pretty intrigued. The Chocolate Birthday Cake and Cornflake Chocolate Drizzle shakes are now available at all Shake Shacks nationwide until November 1st, so we picked up both shakes for a test taste to see if they’re worth the trip. Let’s dive in!

Chocolate Birthday Cake Shake/ Cornflake Chocolate Drizzle Shake

If you came to this review hoping for suspense, I don’t know what to tell you, both shakes are good. This is f*cking Shake Shack we’re talking about, linking up with an equally beloved award-winning dessert and bakery chain, these two entities know how to make a dessert. That much is clear.

But just because we think both of these shakes are delicious, doesn’t mean we think they’re both worth a trip to Shake Shack. So let’s get the weaker of the two out of the way first — the Chocolate Birthday Cake. The Chocolate Birthday Cake shake uses a chocolate cake frozen custard base infused with Milk Bar B’Day crumbs and B’Day frosting, two ingredients Milk Bar actually teaches you how to make at home, tipped with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. It tastes almost exactly like what a liquefied chocolate cupcake would taste like, which is good news if you’ve ever eaten a cupcake and thought, ‘Wow, I’d really like to drink this.’

The whipped cream and sprinkles visually help to drive that experience of drinking a cupcake home, and the cake crumbles add the occasional pocket of intensely sweet flavor. The crumbles soak up Shake Shack’s custard perfectly and are small enough to fit through the straw, so this shake doesn’t require any intense suction on your part due to a cake-lodged straw.

But it’s just too sweet for my liking. When I say it tastes like a cupcake that isn’t an exaggeration. If you took a cupcake and blended it with some chocolate ice cream, you’d have the Chocolate Birthday Cake shake. So If you’re wincing at that description rather than salivating, this isn’t the shake for you.

The Cornflake Chocolate Drizzle shake, on the other hand, takes things to another level.

In the war over whether chocolate or vanilla is the better milkshake flavor, I’m firmly on the side of chocolate. When I think of the word “milkshake” I automatically think chocolate, whip cream, and a cherry on top but Shake Shack already has a chocolate shake, and it’s delicious and doesn’t taste like a liquefied chocolate cupcake. So I’d rather have that over the Birthday Cake. What they don’t have is a Cornflake milkshake. Until now.

The Cornflake Chocolate Drizzle shake has so much going on, you’ve got shards of crispy cornflakes evenly distributed through creamy thick vanilla custard topped with a generous drizzle of Milk Bar’s chocolate fudge and soft mini marshmallows tossed on top. It’s the type of milkshake you’re going to want to mix around with your straw, distributing the chocolate drizzle until your milkshake starts to look like a swirl of flavors. Definitely do that, and then grab a spoon and start digging in. We promise you your actions won’t garner any side-eyed glances from strangers who think you don’t know how to drink a milkshake, they’ll only have looks of envy.

A milkshake you opt to eat rather than drink isn’t a sign of a bad milkshake, it’s a sign that the milkshake is so good that a straw can’t do an adequate job of delivering it to your mouth.

Because of this mix of crunchy cornflakes, sweet vanilla, and rich chocolate, this milkshake sort of resembles a flavor hacked bowl of cereal — like you poured a bowl of Frosted Flakes and drizzled chocolate syrup all over it until you had chocolate milk. The cornflakes provide a great textured mouthfeel and the flavor bounces between sweet, rich, and subtly salty. If Shake Shack would’ve added cinnamon or graham cracker crumble to this shake, they would’ve had fast food’s greatest milkshake on their hands.

The Bottom Line

If you’re hitting up Shake Shack between now and November, you’re not doing Shake Shack right if you don’t pick up the Cornflake Chocolate Drizzle shake. Alone it’s worth the trip. But I mean, definitely get a burger too because it’s Shake Shack.

Kanye West’s fascination with the afterlife forms the basis of his latest Donda video, “24.” The video appears to be an excerpt from Kanye’s third listening event for the album at Chicago’s Soldier Field, during which he simulated his ascension to heaven as his late mom (for whom the album is titled) watches on beatifically.

It’s only the second video to emerge from the album’s lengthy, chaotic rollout, after “Come To Life” also made use of a part of the Chicago listening in which Kanye was literally set on fire. And while the spectacle of his listening events and the hype for the album was enough to lift the project to the top of the Billboard albums chart, it certainly had its shortcomings, detractors, and downfalls, as collaborators like Soulja Boy and Todd Rundgren criticized the recording process (as well as its final result), Drake allegedly trolled Kanye by leaking his Andre 3000 collaboration (disappointing both Andre and Tyler The Creator in the process), and Drake’s Certified Lover Boy out-streamed Donda on its way to replacing it atop the Billboard 200. With all the drama swirling around the album, perhaps releasing more videos will return focus back to the music.

Watch Kanye West’s “24” video above.

Donda is out now on Def Jam. Get it here.

Atlanta trap rap pioneer T.I. and his R&B singer wife Tiny Harris have avoided sexual assault charges in Los Angeles after prosecutors decided not to move forward with the case, according to TMZ. A police report was initially filed earlier this year by a woman who claimed that the couple drugged and assaulted her after she met them in a club in 2005. However, according to court documents obtained by TMZ, the incident would be outside the statute of limitations, so they have decided not to pursue charges.

Meanwhile, T.I. and Tiny maintain that the multiple accusations against them — which have come from several women in the past year — are false, attributing the allegations to a cash grab led by a woman they “have had difficulty with” for “well over a decade.” In April, they demanded that the women accusing them of these incidents reveal their identities. T.I. addressed the accusations in his May track “What It’s Come To,” reiterating his demand for the alleged victims to come forward.

The cases against T.I. and Tiny were spearheaded by lawyer Tyrone A. Blackburn, who alleged to represent eleven women who brought forth similar accusations of drugging and assault. Since then, the couple’s VH1 show was canceled, and it was revealed T.I. won’t appear in the upcoming Ant-Man sequel.