They’re the bickeringest pair in D.C., and on Monday they were at it again. As per Raw Story, White House press secretary Jen Psaki had to school Fox News’ Peter Doocy for the umpteenthtime. Their beef this time? Doocy tried to pin the blame for rising gas prices squarely on President Joe Biden. But Psaki was ready for him, explaining that it’s a bit more complicated than that.
“Let me give you the facts here. And I know that can be inconvenient, but I think they’re important in this moment” — Jen Psaki to Peter Doocy pic.twitter.com/9sXR0gSSB5
Doocy accused the Biden administration of “blaming Putin” for the sky high gas prices, claiming they were “going up anyway because of post-pandemic supply-chain issues.” Psaki effectively said he was right the first time, that rising energy prices are “a direct result of the invasion of Ukraine.”
When Doocy asked why the U.S. simply isn’t drilling for oil at home, Psaki told him, “Federal policies are not limiting the supplies of oil and gas.” When he persisted, Psaki did what she always does at this point in their conversations: She got quippy.
“Let me give you the facts here,” Psaki told him. “I know that can be inconvenient but I think they’re important in this moment.” She then explained that “there are 9,000 permits that are not being used,” adding that “the suggestion that we’re not allowing companies to drill is inaccurate.”
Psaki also argued that “the best thing we can do is reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil because that will help us have a reliable source of energy so that we’re not worried about gas prices going up because of the whims of a foreign dictator.”
She also took some time to remind Doocy that former president Donald J. Trump pulled the U.S. out of a nuclear deal with Iran because he didn’t like it.
“I don’t think anybody is advocating for Iran to continue acquiring a nuclear weapon, perhaps except for the former president who pulled us out of the deal” — Jen Psaki to Peter Doocy pic.twitter.com/bNqxxWFe0t
In the second week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world watches the coverage of it with horror. We see scenes of bombed-out buildings, streets filled with rubble and debris, and desperate Ukrainians attempting to flee the violence. The beautiful capital city of Kyiv has, so far, remained under Ukrainian control but is being shelled by Russian forces and battles are being waged in the streets.
Some families have fled the city while others have holed up in shelters and bunkers, trying to stay safe. It’s a hard reality to imagine, as two weeks ago Ukrainians were just going along, living their lives in the bustling, artsy metropolis, going out to dinner, enjoying walks in the park, meeting up for playdates. Now the very concept of “living life” has been turned upside-down. Now it’s literally about survival.
But even in a shelter in a war zone, beauty persists. One of the most miraculous things about human beings is that we create and express ourselves through art, even in the most tragic of circumstances. The arts have a way of rushing our humanity to the forefront, reminding us that we are made not just to exist, but to live full, rich lives.
And when that reminder comes from a child, it’s even more potent, which is why a video of a young girl singing in a crowded shelter in Kyiv is being shared widely.
In a video that appears to have been taken by Marta Smekhova, a little girl named Amelia stands smiling in the middle of a room full of people before opening her mouth to sing. As soon as people hear her voice, they fall silent—even a baby who was fussing just seconds before.
According to the Facebook translation of her post shared on March 3, Smekhova had been painting with a boy and a girl in the bomb shelter “to somehow decorate this not so happy place,” and the girl was “so friendly, so talkative.” The girl, named Amelia, told Smekhova that besides drawing, she loved to sing. Then she whispered that her dream was to sing on a big stage in front of an audience.
“So what’s the matter?” Smekhova asked her. “Do you see how many people are here? That’s what you sing for!”
Amelia told her it was loud and she wouldn’t be heard, but Smekhova convinced her to try. So she did.
From the first word out of her mouth, the people in the shelter stopped to listen. “Everyone put their business aside to listen to a song by this girl who was just beaming light…even men couldn’t hold back the tears,” she wrote. “Amelia, your singing left no one indifferent.”
Indeed, Amelia’s sweet, clear voice ringing out touches something inside all of us. In that place and under those circumstances, especially, watching a darling little girl with two missing teeth singing her heart out is heart-rending. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s at stake in this war—and in any war.
The video has been shared far and wide on social media, including by Idina Menzel, the actress and singer who played Elsa in “Frozen” and sang the iconic theme song.
“We see you,” she wrote in her Twitter share of the video. “We really, really see you.”
We see you. We really, really see you. https://twitter.com/Ankita20200/status/1500496884255051776u00a0u2026
Not that we needed yet another reminder, but Amelia’s bomb shelter performance illustrates the real costs of war—the innocent dreams of children, the opportunity to hone their gifts and talents to shine their unique light on the world, the potential wrapped up in every person whose lives get cut short by the guns and the bombs and the insatiable hunger for power.
And it reminds us, yet again, that that cost is far too high.
Over the franchise’s many movies, everyone generally plays Batman the same way — tough, stolid, gravel-voiced, angry — but what of Bruce Wayne? Michael Keaton portrayed the Caped Crusader’s real self as a reluctant socialite, though one who still got dates. In the hands of Christian Bale, he was a fake trust fund douchebag, pretending to be a dumb drunk to throw people off his scent. Ben Affleck was older but still a Gotham (and Metropolis) scene fixture.
Then there’s Robert Pattinson’s take. In The Batman — that is the one that finally cast Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman — Wayne’s face is almost never seen. And when it is, he’s, if anything, moodier than his besuited alter ego. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t paint the town red. He only hooks up with Kravitz’s Selena Kyle, and then only in uniform. When he appears at a big time funeral, everyone makes a show of him showing his face at all, because he never does.
Well, there’s a solid reason for that. In a recent group chat with most of the film’s main players for Entertainment Weekly, Pattinson discussed the reason he and the The Batman team decided to lose the rakish playboy side of Wayne entirely:
“When you think about Bruce Wayne, you kind of think he’s a playboy, and then that’s how he disguises himself, so no one knows he’s Batman. As soon as you take that away, it made the character almost make more sense … There’s something about a person who would be able to delineate three incredibly distinct personalities, and then just being able to switch them as an outfit at will. That’s really way more sociopathic than someone who doesn’t really have much more control over it and is compelled to put this suit on. It’s kind of out of his control a little bit.”
There was another reason for skipping that side of Bruce. “Also, it made more sense with the grieving process as well if he hasn’t gotten over being the 10-year-old boy who, in his mind, let his parents die,” Pattinson continued. “What he feels is himself, he thinks is an incredibly weak and vulnerable child, and he needs to have an entirely different alter ego to survive himself, let alone fight all the criminals of Gotham.”
And that’s why you don’t see Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne gallivanting about with Gotham’s most beautiful. Then again, he could always have a change of heart in the sequel. Or one of its spinoffs.
Conference tournament season has arrived in full in college hoops, with smaller conferences wrapping up tournaments and the major conferences getting set to begin, which means we are being treated with the return of crazy finishes and buzzer-beaters to send teams to the Big Dance.
On Monday night, Chattanooga and Furman met in the SoCon championship game in Asheville, North Carolina in a battle between the two top teams in the conference, with just one of them getting to advance to the NCAA Tournament (SoCon has never sent two teams to the NCAA). It was a wild game that saw Chattanooga go ice cold in the first half, trailing 26-16 in a rock fight at the break. A 13-0 run in the early second half put the Mocs up and they would seemingly take control of the game by the middle of the second half, but could never truly break away from Furman.
After going up three in the closing seconds, Furman’s Mike Bothwell drilled a stepback three after the Mocs didn’t see their coach calling for them to foul up three, sending the game to overtime. In the OT period, Furman started a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and twice took a three-point lead, but Chattanooga found timely three-point shots to tie the game, including with inside 30 seconds to play. Furman would take the ball and Bothwell scored his 23rd and 24th points of the night on a drive to the bucket to seemingly send the Paladins to the Tournament with 4.3 seconds to play. However, David Jean-Baptiste had one more prayer left for the Mocs that went answered at the buzzer, creating pandemonium in Asheville.
It is the ultimate thrill of victory and agony of defeat moment, as Bothwell collapses to the floor after putting up a herculean effort to get the Paladins into overtime and into the lead, while Jean-Baptiste gets swarmed by teammates (and Mocs fans who made the trek to Asheville) on the court.
The revisionist Western The Power of the Dog, from beloved New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion (The Piano), hasn’t only been an awards magnet. (It’s up for 12 Oscars, among them Best Picture.) It’s also been an unexpected streaming hit. It’s cracked the Netflix Top 10. It’s inspired lots of online discussion. But there’s been one fierce critic: legendary actor Sam Elliott, who called it a “piece of s*it.” But one actor is not letting that get him down.
That person is Kodi Smit-McPhee, the former child actor (you may remember him from Matt Reeves’ Let Me In or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, as well as a couple X-Men films). He scored his first Oscar nomination for his work as Peter, the young son of Kirsten Dunst’s Rose whose relationship with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Phil is, shall we say, loaded.
The film’s muted-but-present queer angle is one of the issues that enraged Elliott. In an appearance of WTF with Marc Maron, the actor railed against, among other things, how the men “running around in chaps and no shirts,” and that there’s “these allusions of homosexuality throughout the f*cking movie.”
Cumberbatch gave a semi-cryptic response to Elliott’s comments. (As did, it seemed, Netflix.) But when asked about the flap, Smit-McPhee took a more Zen approach.
When Variety asked him what he had to say in response, Smit-McPhee said, simply, “Nothing. ‘Cause I’m a mature being and I’m passionate about what I do. And I don’t really give energy to anything outside of that.” He added, “Good luck to him.”
And that’s that! So Smit-McPhee is just going to go on living his life, not worried that another brilliant actor had some issues — some dodgy issues, even — with one of his movies. If only all of us could compartmentalize like him.
Draymond Green last appeared in a game for the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 5 and, at that point in the season, the Warriors were 29-8 and flying high. While Golden State is still in a strong overall position, the Warriors are just 14-13 since Green exited with a back injury and, simply put, they are not a dominant force without him, particularly on the defensive end.
On Monday, however, the Warriors received some very encouraging news when Green took it upon himself to deliver a specific injury update. In particular, Green revealed that he is “targeting” a March 14 return against the Washington Wizards at home.
Only if y’all knew where I was, even 4 weeks ago… hell, even 2 weeks ago. LFG!!! https://t.co/hghBCUajv5
“That is the date that I am targeting,” Green said of March 14. “I’m excited as hell. It’s been two and a half months almost… I’ve never missed that much time during a season. I once had an ankle injury that kept me out for a very long time in high school, but it was the offseason. This is something different for me. I’m extremely excited to get back out there with my guys to try to help right the ship.”
It will be interesting to see what Green looks like when he returns, both because of how long he was sidelined and because of how important he is to the Warriors on both ends. His defensive impact is well-chronicled as one of the best in the league, but Green also unlocks Golden State’s offense as the team’s best passer and facilitator, and his partnership with Stephen Curry is dynamic to say the least.
With Green on the floor this season, the Warriors are out-scoring opponents by 9.8 points per 100 possessions. That is a title-contending baseline for any team, but Golden State hasn’t been dominant recently, and having Green at full strength is part of the team’s formula to potentially challenge for a championship in June.
The best way to escape the last week or so of winter (and general responsibilities, for that matter) is by going off the grid with a desert vacation. Turn your phone off, grab your closest friends, bring your own booze, and have a weekend by the pool with no worries other than the threat of potential sunburn. It’s a recipe for a damn good time.
When it comes to finding the ultimate desert destination in the United States, California’s three desert towns of Palm Springs, Indio, and Joshua Tree are hard to beat. Fortunately, each dry and cacti-filled enclave comes complete with a slew of badass rental properties that are basically begging to be visited. And with Coachella coming, now is the time to pick which one best fits your crew.
Below, we’re sharing the coolest and sexiest rental properties in Palm Springs, Indio, and Joshua Tree. So grab your SPF and your sunglasses, and head to one of the vacation rentals.
PART I: PALM SPRINGS
Spectacular Mid-Century Modern Pad
Airbnb
The Property:
This mid-century masterpiece features three bedrooms and fits up to six guests, making it roomy and comfortable enough for your friend group to spread out. There’s also the full-sized private pool, cushioned lounge chairs, outdoor tables, and lounge area with a couch and pool table — making the backyard the perfect place to hang, both during the day and after the sun goes down.
Aside from the amenities, the property’s chic design sprinkled with pops of neon color is exactly the kind of young yet sophisticated environment you need for a weekend in the desert.
Bottom Line:
Pool, games, spacious living room, and kitchen…check!
If you’re on the search for a massive backyard and an ultra-modern space, look no further than this newly refurbished mid-century property. The backyard features several lounge areas to kick back in, a saltwater pool and spa, and plenty of room for party games. The main living area inside the house includes porcelain flooring, a fireplace, and bar seating. It truly is the perfect place to celebrate a weekend with your friends away from home.
Plus, it’s close to downtown Palm Springs where shopping and dining options abound.
Bottom Line:
For a group of eight people in Palm Springs, this freshly upgraded rental property covers all the necessities for an epic desert vacation.
Made for a serene weekend away, this fully remodeled eco-friendly oasis fits up to four people in two bedrooms. Designed with original artwork, mosaic tiles, and a remodeled floorplan, it’s ideal for a low-key couples retreat or small group of friends in need of rejuvenation. The private property also features a large saltwater pool and in-ground spa, so you can soak in all the good energy the house has to offer.
If you feel like venturing out for an afternoon, the property is only a mile away from the bustling downtown area and only a few minutes away from several popular golf courses.
Bottom Line:
All-day ragers by the pool are great, but sometimes it’s nice to have something a little more tranquil to help you feel refreshed.
Yes, you can have desert vibes and lakeside living in one place. Located within a gated community, this two-story, four-bedroom home that fits up to 12 guests really is a lakefront dream. Picturesque mountains and desert sunset views surround the property, which are easy to see from the backyard patio or second-floor balcony. The backyard alone features an infinity pool and spa looking over the lake, an expansive patio with a built-in barbecue, an outdoor bar, seating areas, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows at night.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this classic lakefront property couldn’t be more perfect for a large group. Whether you’re hosting a bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or family vacation, this property offers more than enough space for your gathering.
When you first walk up to this Indio home, you’ll notice that it’s the epitome of desert aesthetic — from the loose dirt and cacti to the stone tortoise statue guarding the front yard (hence, the rental’s name). However, the inside of the house reflects a more modern, sexy, chic design with sleek white counters and light-wash wooden and tile floors that create an open and airy space. The rental fits up to 10 people and all four bedrooms feature a king-sized bed and smart TVs.
The pool is what sets this property apart from others in the area. The private backyard includes beach-like access to the saltwater pool and an oversized spa. You’ll likely want to spend every minute of daylight wading in the water. It’s the ultimate play space for a large group gathering.
Bottom Line:
If you’re spending time in Indio, you’re going to need a good pool to cool off in. This backyard saltwater haven is exactly the remedy you’ll need.
Luxury, relaxation, and fun collide at this epic Indio rental property. It’s a little piece of paradise in an otherwise desolate desert. For starters, the backyard is so nice that you’ll likely spend most of your time in town just lounging by the pool. The large pool itself features deck jets, a waterfall spillway, a tanning shelf, multiple seating ledges, and sparkling pebble tech that glimmers in the sun for an added touch of glamour.
Next to the pool, you’ll find a four-hole, thirty-foot putting green, a ping pong table, a foosball table, Jenga, lawn darts, Connect Four, and a ring toss. When you’ve had your share of fun, you can relax in the lounge area while you watch sports on the outdoor TV. The interior of the house is just as nice as the backyard, following a rustic-style theme where cow print and wooden accents are aplenty.
Bottom Line:
This vacation rental is like an adult playground. If you’re looking for party vibes without skimping on luxury amenities, you’re going to want to book this spot ASAP.
Avid golf enthusiasts will love this vacation rental, as its right on the golf course at Indian Palms Country Club. You can watch the action on the golf course while you chill in the lap pool or spa that are complemented by waterfall fountains and the calming ambiance of the desert. You’ll also get a fire pit and an outdoor bar for when you’ve had enough time in the water.
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for an affordable option, this rental makes a great choice. Not to mention, it’s walking distance to where Coachella is held each year. Hop on this before it’s booked for festival season!
This luxurious rental property is on the pricier side. However, it fits up to 14 people, making it more affordable for large groups. The newly renovated home is ultra-spacious and comfortable, but the backyard is likely where you’ll spend most of your time. It features turf on both sides of the heated saltwater pool that comes complete with two waterfalls and a hot tub. You’ll also find a putting green, corn hole, a ping pong table, and a barbecue, as well as a pool table inside.
Bottom Line:
Between the games, pool, barbecue, and roomy interior, this vacation rental is the perfect friend group getaway.
If I would brag about anything in this life, it’s that my taste is on point. That can be hard when covering hotels or rentals because if something is cheesy, I’m gonna catch it. While staying at Seven Arches this past qweekend, I said, at least ten times: “There’s nothing I would change about this place.” From the plates to the kitchen layout to the hot tub to the sprawling grounds (dirt bike track! cornhole! horseshoes!), it was dialed and buttoned up.
Want to get more granular? I was just there so it’s very fresh in my mind:
Best bedding I’ve ever had at a rental. Period. Soft pillows, high thread count sheets, wide beds — perfection.
Art by RealFunWow. A very stylish artist who works in earth tones that match the property’s upscale-meets-desert vibe. (In fact, I found out about this spot when I saw the RealFunWow mural being painted on Instagram.)
Tons of space. There are “pretty spacious” bnbs and then there are “desert spacious” properties — spots that sprawl in a way that leaves plenty of room for chilling, eating, being loud. This property boasts the latter.
Insane degree of Instagram-ability. Be honest, we all want to tell the stories of our trips. This property was clearly designed with that in mind and by looking at IG tags, you can see how popular it’s been with influencers. Every corner begs to have a photo taken — just see my own pic below.
Organic in the best way. Earth tones. Nothing feels fake. There are jars of water at the bedsides and the forks are wrought iron. If you’re into the mushroom scene, this spot is a dream — there’s no plastic and no flashing lights from excessive electronics. Even if you’re not, you’re sure to note that the amenities are built to last.
Bottom Line:
It doesn’t get much sexier than this. Or much more engaging. There’s so much to do and the house is so incredibly comfortable, don’t be surprised if you stay home all day before spending the evening alternating between the plunge pool and the hot tub.
There’s no better place to find your zen than in a secluded desert hideaway — with the comfort of knowing downtown Joshua Tree is only minutes away. This rental property delivers an authentic Japanese experience in the desert with one-of-a-kind design pieces that are ethically sourced. The property includes a tatami room (or zen room) that’s meant to be used for gathering, reflecting, meditating, or having an intimate conversation. This combined with the two comfortable bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, private outdoor lounge area, and the record player and vinyl collection makes the property a serene desert escape.
Bottom Line:
Where else are you going to find a tatami room in Joshua Tree? If you’re in need of healing and rejuvenation, this is the place to do it.
If you want a desert escape that’s not too far out from civilization, this house is an excellent option. It’s nearby Joshua Tree National Park, local art exhibits, farmers markets, and thrift stores. You can keep yourself entertained during the day and night with the backyard amenities, which include a fire pit, hot tub, and bocce ball.
If it gets too hot, you can head inside to the game room to play vintage arcade games and shuffleboard.
The property’s interior is designed to reflect the calming essence of the surrounding area. It features classic desert colors like beige, orange, and yellow, and unique artwork of the famous local Joshua Trees.
Bottom Line:
When you’re out in the desert with your friends, it’s nice to have a wide selection of games to keep you busy. Plus, the fire pit, hammocks, and hot tub make the backyard a great place to sit back under the stars, which you generally miss out on if you’re visiting from a big city.
One of the best parts of escaping to the desert is the opportunity to connect with nature. That’s what this property is all about. The minimalist yet modern hideaway focuses on “fusing natural simplicity with contemporary luxuries.” It’s exactly the kind of place one goes to rest and reflect. The property offers several outdoor living areas, including a covered patio with a fire pit, a saltwater hot tub, and a 600-square-foot rock and cactus garden courtyard.
Yep, we’ll take it.
Bottom Line:
Overall, this property is great for a romantic getaway with someone special. The unobstructed views of the desert hills and stars, the saltwater hot tub, and the general intimacy of the property make it a sexy desert escape.
This five-acre, eco-conscious property is coined as the “Togetherness House,” and for good reason. It’s ideal for a group of friends who want to connect with nature and with each other on a deeper level, while still maintaining the comfort of modern conveniences like WiFi and high-quality cleaning services. The property’s patio and outdoor lounge spaces deliver some of the best views in Joshua Tree, where mountainous landscapes and clear skies take center stage.
Bottom Line:
Great views with good people. That’s all you really need to enjoy this intimate desert retreat.
This 1,200-square-foot ranch-style property sleeps up to six people and features brand new appliances and furniture throughout the house. The backyard comes complete with both a hot tub and a cold tub, so you can soak during the day and at night. There is tons of space to spread out in the backyard, where you’ll also find a deck, multiple hammocks, a variety of games, and several lounge areas.
The interior of the property combines rustic chic decor with pops of color, creating an inviting environment. In fact, the home was designed by one of Bravo TV’s Best Room Wins designers.
Bottom Line:
This ranch-inspired property is an affordable option that still offers great amenities and lots of space for groups. Plus, it’s only a few minutes from town, so you’ll have the option to explore the area outside of the rental.
Charli XCX is gearing up for a massive album release, with her fifth record, Crash, just around the corner. The project drops on March 18 and has been preceded by a whole slew of excellent singles, including “Good Ones,” a collaboration with Caroline Polachek and Christine and the Queens called “New Shapes,” her more recent collab with Rina Sawayama, “Beg For You,” and the latest single “Baby.”
She performed those last two onSNL this weekend, and has been on a bit of a press blitz in these last few days leading up to the album’s release. One stop on the endless press tours to promote new music is always The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and on her most recent appearance Charli and Jimmy discussed a funny story involving another of Atlantic Records’ biggest stars — Cardi B herself. Apparently, Charli had already told Jimmy the tale of when she, Bebe Rexha and Rita Ora collaborated with Cardi — all virtually — for the group song “Girls,” and how starstruck Charli was to be involved with Cardi, who she loves.
The only problem? When it came time for Cardi to promote the song and video, she shared the wrong name Charli… she called her “Charli STD” instead. But because it’s Cardi, Charli actually had no issues with the unsavory nickname. Sharing a bit of the interview in a clip on Instagram, Charli tagged Cardi and let her know she thinks the title rather iconic. “Charli std reporting for duty thank you @fallontonight & @jimmyfallon for having me and thank u @iamcardib for creating this iconic piece of Twitter history – i love you,” she wrote.
Check out the interview above and keep an ear out for that new Charli album!
Anyone who has lived in the U.S. with a nontraditionally American name knows how hard it can be to get some people to pronounce your name correctly.
My husband’s name is Javad, which is only two syllables and objectively not hard to say (juh-VAHD), but I’ve watched many people mutilate it over the years even after being given the correct pronunciation. I remember one time watching him introduce himself to a man clearly and slowly—twice—and the man still called him “Bob,” like he couldn’t even digest this name he’d never heard before, much less pronounce it.
As a kid, at the beginning of every school year or every time a substitute teacher came around, it was common for my husband to have to correct the pronunciation of his name. Not the end of the world, but annoying. I can’t imagine how much more annoying it is for people with longer names that aren’t familiar to many American ears.
A video of a teacher mispronouncing every student’s name has gotten a huge response on Reddit, presumably for the humor of it. The names she reads off the attendance list are ones that are common enough in the U.S. that pronunciation normally wouldn’t be an issue—Luke, Jacob and Hunter, for example. But she manages to bungle them anyway—yes, even Luke—and it is genuinely funny.
But saying Luke as “Luck” and Hunter as “Hoonter” did more than just give her students a giggle. It also puts every student on the same playing field. If there were students in her class with less common names that might easily be mispronounced, they now find themselves in the same shoes as all of their classmates. They no longer stand out as “the kid with the name the teacher didn’t know how to pronounce.”
If every kid has to correct the teacher, then doing so is no big deal. No one is “othered” by it. It’s just a funny thing they all do. And it also gives the teacher a chance to hear each kid’s name from their own mouth instead of trying to read it off a list without ever hearing it.
The only risk here is accidentally pronouncing an unfamiliar name correctly the first time, but that seems unlikely. And it actually would probably just add another layer of humor to the already light atmosphere. Because a teacher mispronouncing a student’s name can have a lasting impact, it’s important to do what we can to keep it from happening.
The thing about unfamiliar names is that they usually aren’t as hard to pronounce as people make them out to be. They’re simply unfamiliar.
I mean, if we can pronounce Beethoven (which doesn’t look like it sounds), Tchaikovsky (which has all those consonants) and Dostoyevsky (which has four syllables) without even thinking about it, we can learn to pronounce any name. It might take some practice, and we might have to ask people’s forgiveness if it takes us a while, but it’s not impossible.
Some people in the comments on Reddit pointed out that the teacher’s roll call was an innovative way of making every student feel equally welcomed in the classroom. But even more said it reminded them of a hilarious Key & Peele skit about a hard-nosed substitute teacher mispronouncing students’ names and getting angry when they corrected him.
A bit of a language warning in case you have little ones around, but it’s great if you haven’t seen it. You’ll never see the name “Blake” the same way again.
What if I were to tell you that legends of ’90s pop, R&B and hip-hop joined forces to recreate classic ’80s music videos in a brand new song that somehow feels completely 2022?
Indeed, the impossible was accomplished. And it’s the earworm no one knew they needed.
The guest list for this nostalgia party is beyond impressive: New Kids on the Block invited En Vogue (yes), Salt-N-Pepa (you heard right) and Rick Astley (this is not a drill) to play in their new song “Bring Back the Time,” dropping ahead of the band’s MixTape Tour 2022. If this song is any indication of the tour, listeners are in for a rollercoaster ride of throwbacks. We’re talking a no-holds-barred barrage of crazy hairstyles and synth sounds galore.
The video has 12, count ’em, 12 references to songs from the ’80s. En Vogue transform into cheerleaders from Toni Basil’s “Mickey.” (You know, the song from “Bring It On?”) Salt-N-Pepa nail brazen glamor while channeling Madonna’s “Vogue.” Rick Astley kills it as David Byrne. NKOTB are fearlessly silly wearing those weird red bucket hats from Devo’s “Whip It.”
And yeah, that barely scratches the surface.
And while at first the tribute might seem only entertaining for the Gen X and millennial crowd, it’s the pure celebration of joy that makes the song instantly universal. Not to mention that ’80s sounds are totally making a comeback in the modern music scene.
Go ahead, take a listen, have a laugh, and remind yourself that “years go by, but it’s nothing we can’t rewind.”
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