Month: November 2021

Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s favorite podcast host, Steve Bannon, languishes in jail after turning himself in on criminal contempt charges (related to Jan. 6), and she’s telling the world that she’s got his back. That’s to be expected, since not too many other outlets will let the QAnon cheerleader ramble to her heart’s content these days. Recently, Greene told Bannon that she doesn’t want anything to do with politics (although she did not promise). She is, however, here for Bannon and fully supports him after he freely admitted that he helpped to plot the failed MAGA coup.

Greene, of course, is very angry about a report that linked her to the insurrection, and she’s made a huge deal out of visiting Jan. 6 rioters in jail while vowing to enact prison reform (basically on her own). So, she’s very sympathetic to Bannon, and while speaking with Newsmax, the lawmaker that’s been disavowed by CrossFit went on the record to declare that she’s “Team Bannon all the way.”

She also declared, “They have picked on the wrong guy… because Steve Bannon will not go quietly.”

The thing is, Steve Bannon kind of did go quietly, given that he refused to appear in front of the House Select Committee (that’s investigating Jan. 6) when he was summoned by subpoena. Further, the former Trump chief strategist turned himself in at the FBI Washington Field Office while wearing a smirk, and he simply told reporters that he’d be “going on the offense.” To add even more vagueness to the equation, Bannon vowed, “This is going to be the misdemeanor from hell.”

No word yet on whether Marjorie Taylor Greene is planning to visit Bannon behind bars, but if it happens, she’ll surely tell the world what happens.

Being able to point to a list of notable alumni has long been a source of pride for many colleges and universities, and a way to woo prospective students to apply. Then there are the notorious alumni… For the same reason the University of Washington doesn’t readily promote itself as Ted Bundy’s alma mater, students at Syracuse University would rather not have Rudy Giuliani associated with their school—particularly as his degree is an honorary one. As such, The College Post reports that the university’s Student Association and Student Bar Association are currently petitioning the school to revoke the honorary doctorate that was bestowed upon Giuliani by Syracuse’s College of Law.

“When he received his honorary degree back in 1989, he might have portrayed the values or initiatives of the school then,” Mazzy Kaila, executive president of the Student Bar Association told The Daily Orange, Syracuse’s student newspaper. “I don’t think there’s any room for that now.”

It’s not the first time that Syracuse students have taken issue with the disgraced former mayor of New York City, whose own license to practice law in the state of New York has been suspended. According to The College Post, “Giuliani first faced a backlash at SU when he was invited to be the commencement speaker in 2002. The then-mayor of New York City faced flak for his policing practices following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.”

Nor would rescinding Rudy’s degree be unprecedented. As the face of Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, Giuliani’s professionalism—and at times, his sobriety—have been called into question as he’s pushed The Big Lie. On January 12, 2021, less than a week after the insurrection on the Capitol, Vermont’s Middlebury College took back its 2005 honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rudy, and in August, Philadelphia’s Drexel University revoked the honorary degree its law school granted to Giuliani back in 2009.

“He has been suspended for his law license, and undermined our elections, and has advocated for really, really absurd things,” Student Association president David Bruen told The College Post. “He still has an honorary degree from this university. And I think the longer that lasts, the more it kind of devalues an honorary degree from the College of Law.”

Now it’s up to the school’s administration to take further action.

(Via The College Post)

Break out the pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, something wickedly wonderful this way comes. To help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Warner Bros. has announced a massive Harry Potter reunion special is coming to HBO Max (via The Wrap). Debuting at midnight on New Year’s Eve, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is billed to be an in-depth retrospective featuring never-before-seen footage, and best of all, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) will all be in attendance.

According to HBO’s description, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will be an “enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.” However, there is always the hope Warner Bros. could announce new Harry Potter projects are in the works, such as a reboot Radcliffe recently joked about or perhaps even an adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, called the special not merely retrospective, but a tribute to “everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon.”

“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least. This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon — from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”

In addition to the film’s “golden trio,” filmmaker Chris Columbus — the director behind the first two Harry Potter films — and over a dozen other main cast members will also make appearances on the special. Among those confirmed so far are Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart, though others are rumored to be coming.

Following its HBO Max premiere, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will also air on both TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022, just ahead of the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the third installment in the ongoing Fantastic Beasts prequel series.

DeMar DeRozan has been on a tear to start the 2021-22 season, as the former All-Star has found a comfortable new home in Chicago, averaging 26.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 51.0/37.1/87.3 shooting splits through 14 games with the Bulls.

That stellar play has helped lift the Bulls to a 10-4 record and done nothing to dissuade those in Chicago from proclaiming that the Bulls are, in fact, back. However, DeRozan wasn’t initially planning on joining the Bulls, instead hoping for a homecoming in Los Angeles, as the Compton native sought to get back to his roots this offseason. DeRozan spoke with Yahoo’s Chris Haynes after his 38-point performance in a blowout of the Lakers on Monday — which followed a 35-point effort to beat the Clippers on Sunday — and said while there’s no hard feelings with the Lakers, he felt it was a “done deal” that he’d end up there in a sign-and-trade this summer.

“I felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal and that we were going to figure it out. I was going to come home,” DeRozan told Yahoo Sports after scoring a game-high 38 points to lead the Bulls to a 121-103 victory at Staples Center. “The business side of things just didn’t work out. A couple of things didn’t align. It didn’t work out. It’s just part of the business, part of the game. My next option was definitely Chicago. So, looking back at it, it worked out well.

What changed was the Lakers shifted their attention from DeRozan to Russell Westbrook when the latter made his push to leave Washington, turning all of their assets over to the Wizards in the process (who have gotten off to a similar hot start to the Bulls at 10-3). For DeRozan, he understands the Lakers wanting to add Russ but says he once again has learned a lesson about assuming anything in the world of NBA transactions.

“Nah, Russ is a Hall of Fame player,” DeRozan told Yahoo Sports. “It’s hard to turn down that caliber of player. I can’t speak for the Lakers, but they went with what they felt was best for them. And all due respect to them. No hard feelings. No animosity, but I just look at it as part of the game. A deal is never done until it’s done. I learned that. It just didn’t work out. I’m just happy I’m in Chicago.”

It’s certainly interesting to wonder what the Lakers look like with DeRozan rather than Westbrook, particularly if it also would’ve allowed them to land someone else — i.e., whether DeRozan’s addition would’ve been part of a larger plan that also could’ve netted Buddy Hield or even Kyle Lowry. Whether DeRozan would’ve gotten off to the kind of start he has in Chicago is a different question entirely, but for the Bulls and DeRozan, the Lakers passing on the former All-Star has certainly worked out in their favor early on. That makes two possibly “should-be” Lakers that are currently starring for the Bulls, as Alex Caruso has spoken openly about how he tried to return to L.A., only for the Lakers to refuse to come close to the offer from Chicago.

All of this will only add to Laker fan frustration that is simmering after an 8-7 start, but only time will tell if the Lakers made the wrong choice to make them a title contender again.

Two weeks ago, QAnon believers were left disappointed after John F. Kennedy, Jr. — a guy who’s been dead for 22 years — failed to make an appearance at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. Members of the group expected the late son of former President John F. Kennedy to reveal his death was just a ruse and that he’d been working in secret to bring down the “deep state” for more than two decades. His resurrection was supposed to end with JFK, Jr. — a staunch Democrat during his lifetime — reinstating Donald Trump as president.

One would think that a failed prophecy might convince some of these people to at least go back home and get on with their lives but, according to a new report from Vice, dozens of QAnon followers are still in Dallas, weeks after the expected reveal, and they’re still waiting for JFK, Jr. to pop up.

The group gathered once more at the Plaza after Michael Brian Protzman, the demolition worker who first used a heavily-altered version of the Hebrew numerology system known as Gematria to predict Kennedy’s comeback, told QAnon followers that his prophecy was actually meant to come true on Monday evening according to the Julian calendar — which is what they should’ve been following from the beginning, according to him.

In videos of the event shared on social media, dozens of adults and some young children can be seen saying the Lord’s Prayer in a circle on the grounds before breaking into a rendition of “We Are The World.” The group lingered long into the night despite JFK, Jr. once again failing to appear.

According to sources who spoke to Vice, over 1,000 people showed up for the first predicted resurrection and, though numbers have dwindled, dozens are still staying at a Hyatt in Dallas awaiting word from Protzman, who may be planning to make the city his group’s home base and is asking for donations from QAnon followers to cover food and hotel expenses for this trip. Photos of Protzman walking around the hotel with a literal tin foil on his head were shared to Telegram at one point.

No word yet on how Protzman and his followers are handling the latest failed resurrection.

(Via Vice)

The past couple years have been major for big-time video game franchises teaming up with musical artists. Lil Nas X performed a virtual concert in Roblox almost exactly a year ago. Ariana Grande had a major Fortnite event this year. The recent Pokémon 25: The Album project featured songs from Vince Staples, Katy Perry, and others. Now, Pokémon, in its never-ending quest to catch ’em all, is adding another musician to its growing list of music collaborators: Ed Sheeran.

Details about what’s going on between the two are (dun)sparse right now, though. All we know is that this afternoon, Sheeran shared an image that features both his name and the Pokémon Go logo and wrote, “coming soon.” So, it seems obvious Sheeran and/or his work will make some sort of in-game appearance, but given that Pokémon Go doesn’t have a precedent for celebrity collaborations, it’s not clear how this team-up will work.

Whatever the case, Sheeran has proven himself to be a major Pokémon enthusiast over the years. This summer, he noted that he met Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri and gave him a letter. He also said that the first generation of games (Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow for the Game Boy) is his favorite and that Squirtle is his favorite starter Pokémon. In 2019, he was spotted singing karaoke in Japan while wearing a Snorlax onesie. He was also tweeting about Pokémon in 2010 and 2011, like when he noted that the Pokémon Black and White games on Nintendo DS are “wicked.”

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Spider-Man can’t stop, and it won’t stop, even if Tom Holland is out there talking about how the upcoming No Way Home installment is “not fun” and “sad.” A trailer should be incoming on Tuesday evening, and Holland’s out there distracting the masses while talking about Venom 2 post-credits scenage, and rumors continue to swirl everywhere about which former Spider-Men will appear in the multiverse-geared flick. Well, Kirsten Dunst is stepping up from the 2000s trilogy past to discuss how that production went. Specifically, The Virgin Suicides actress is letting the world know that she wasn’t paid nearly (while portraying Mary Jane) much as Tobey Maguire received for slinging webs and wearing spandex.

Hmm. To my recollection, Dunst’s appearance in that first trilogy drew plenty of fanfare, and those movies raked in well over $1 billion at the box office. Did Dunst receive a sweet back-end deal for those revenues? It sure doesn’t sound like it. Here’s her lowdown as related to The Independent:

“The pay disparity between me and Spider-Man was very extreme,” she says. “I didn’t even think about it. I was just like, ‘Oh yeah, Tobey [Maguire] is playing Spider-Man.’ But you know who was on the cover of the second Spider-Man poster?” She flashes a grin and points at her chest. “Spider-Man and ME.”

She’s not wrong. Gender-pay disparity has only recently seen corrections, at least in Hollywood, with Netflix’s The Crown being ground central for revelations that Claire Foy, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth for two seasons, got paid far less than Matt Smith did for playing Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, although he was the consort to the monarch. So, yeah, it’s very easy to believe that Dunst got paid much less than Maguire for any role in the same movie.

However, Dunst reveals that she’d be good with signing on to play Mary Jane again, if Sony decided to go there. “I would do it,” she revealed to Variety. “Why not? That would be fun… I would never say no to something like that.” And sure, why not? The franchise is yanking almost every other former character into the mix. Let’s hope, though, that they’d boost Dunst’s pay next time around, should it happen.

(Via The Independent & Variety)

Succession star Brian Cox has earned his Emmy, Golden Globe, and Olivier awards, and now it looks like the 75-year-old actor might just be coming for an Oscar too. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cox is now readying up to make his directorial debut with Glenrothan, a family drama set at a whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands. The upcoming film is described as a “‘love letter’ to Cox’s native Scotland” that pays “homage to the elements that make Scotland such an extraordinary country.”

“Glenrothan is my homage to the elements that make Scotland such an extraordinary country, where vibrancy and majesty of the land is expressed through passion and desire – balanced by the Scot’s deep-rooted humour and grasp of the absurd,” said Cox. “I want to make a film, which combines all the elements, to show my own deep love for the homeland.”

Glenrothan follows a pair of estranged brothers who reunite in their homeland of Scotland after 40 years of tense silence in order to restore their family business: the Glenrothan Distillery. What ensues is a story all about reconciliation as the two men are forced to confront the day their family fell apart and resolve their various grievances with one another, as well as their father, in a story all about “family, forgiveness and the bonding alchemy of whisky.” In addition to directing Glenrothan, Cox is also set to star in the drama.

Scottish actor and writer David Ashton (McLevy) and award-winning screenwriter Jeff Murphy (Hinterland) are co-writing the film, which is being produced by Lionsgate and London-based production company Nevision. Lionsgate U.K. head of development & acquisitions Emma Berkofsky is on board to develop the film, with Nevision’s Neil Zeiger and James Cabourne assisting with production. According to Zieger, the film’s story was created with Cox in mind, but the actor’s pivot to directing as well was a pleasant and elevating, turn:

“Glenrothan was conceived with Brian in mind,” said Zeiger. “Without question he is one of the most powerful actors of his generation. However, having worked with him in front of the camera, I knew that his extensive knowledge and vision would elevate the film even further were he to also direct the movie.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the best surprises in the NBA to start the season, as the young Cavs have darted out to a 9-6 start thanks in large part to some stellar defense. Leading the way on that end is their frontcourt featuring Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley, the latter of whom has already shown his considerable skills and versatility as a defensive anchor.

Unfortunately for the Cavs, the injury bug has started to bite and, after already seeing Collin Sexton suffer a torn meniscus, Mobley now is headed for an extended absence. The young big man suffered an injury to his right elbow in Monday night’s loss to the Celtics and an MRI revealed an elbow strain that the team says will keep him out for 2-4 weeks.

It is a significant blow for a team that’s already shorthanded, although they should get Lauri Markkanen back from the COVID list soon which would be a welcome sight. Still, replacing Mobley’s presence on the defensive end won’t be easy for the Cavs, as he and Allen have allowed them to keep a shot blocker on the floor most all of the time and his ability to switch and move on the perimeter makes him a tremendous deterrent on pick-and-roll coverage. With a brutal stretch of schedule coming over the next two weeks featuring the Warriors, Nets (twice), Suns, Mavs, Heat, Jazz, Bucks, and Bulls coming up, getting through that with a record still around .500 without Mobley would have to feel like a success for the Cavs.

A few months ago, DaniLeigh gave birth to her first child with DaBaby. The two rappers originally broke up in February, but are still caring for their child. Their relationship has definitely had its ups-and-downs, exemplified by an argument the two had over the weekend that was captured on Instagram Live. Both rappers shared their side of the story, but the entire ordeal ended with DaniLeigh now facing two assault charges.

The filmed argument kicked off while DaniLeigh was feeding their child in bed. They traded insults back-and-forth, with DaniLeigh claiming DaBaby had been absent in the first place and was now trying to make her leave his apartment. DaBaby eventually called the police to try to get her removed and even claimed he had video evidence of her hitting him.

The assault charges DaniLeigh faces after the altercation were confirmed by local Charlotte news outlet WSOC-TV. After the on-camera argument, police showed up at DaBaby’s apartment Sunday and informed the rapper that he had to go to the magistrate’s office to pursue charges. Officers were reportedly called back to DaBaby’s apartment on Monday, who then informed them that DaniLeigh had assaulted him again. After a police investigation, DaniLeigh faces two counts of simple assault charges from both Sunday and Monday incidents.

Following their original Instagram Live argument, both rappers took to their own accounts to relay their side of the story. “End of the day no big deal I don’t want no charges pressed or nothing I just want her peacefully removed which they need to hurry up do as we speak I ain’t even want that behavior on display but it’s okay,” DaBaby wrote on his Instagram Story.

DaniLeigh also shared her account of the situation, saying she’s been living with DaBaby, cooking him meals, and taking care of their child when DaBaby said he wanted her gone. “Tonight he wanna come in the room talking bout ‘I need to go’ don’t matter where I go,” she wrote. “Mind u… I have a new born child, so he said I can go to a hotel.”