Year: 2022

The music world faced tragic news over the weekend when it was revealed Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died at 50 years old. In light of that, Rolling Stone shared the full transcript of their last in-person interview with Hawkins, which took place in June 2021. Portions of the conversation were included in a September 2021 cover story on Foo Fighters.

During the interview, Hawkins tells a story of Grohl encouraging him shortly after he joined the band, when Hawkins wasn’t confident he was good enough to be in the group; Hawkins’ first album with the band was 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose, as he replaced previous drummer William Goldsmith. Part of this story was included in the aforementioned Rolling Stone feature, but Hawkins’ newly shared full quote offers more context.

Hawkins started the story by discussing Goldsmith’s departure and expressing the lack of faith in himself he was feeling, saying:

“William [Goldsmith] tried to record drums for that second record. We all know it didn’t work out for various reasons. He just wasn’t really ready. But Dave didn’t fire him. Dave said, ‘I want you to stay in the band.’ And he didn’t, and that’s all on him. Dave feels bad about the way it happened. He’s expressed it plenty of f*cking times. But I feel bad that Dave gets the… Dave, he shouldn’t be demonized for that, because all he was trying to do was make sure his band could still exist. And the version that they had, he knew it wasn’t good enough. And I was so scared when we went to go do Nothing Left To Lose. I had red light fever so bad. […] Because the last guy f*cking… So how am I going to make it through this? And I didn’t know how to.

And the producer, Adam Kasper, was like, ‘Oh, can Dave just play drums?’ I could just hear it in his face. I mean, he was a nice guy, but he had Dave Grohl. He’s like, ‘Why is this kid trying to learn to play to a click track right now in front of me? Let’s get this record done.’”

Hawkins continued by describing an emotional and meaningful conversation he and Grohl had:

“And at one point I just said to Dave, ‘Listen, dude, I just don’t think I can do this.’ And I was battling the demons a bit back then as well. I was just so scared. And he said, it kind of chokes me up, he just held my hand through it, and he’s like, ‘You’re going to play some drums on this.’ [At this point, Hawkins’ eyes visibly tear up.] And I did half the drums on it, because he f*cking held my hand through it, like that older brother, best friend does.

So there you go. That’s why we’re here today, because he knew he wanted me there with him as a friend, as a family member, as his younger brother that he can f*cking rubber-finger any time he wants, that ultimately totally looks up to him and wants to make him happy. And also, he knew that there was just something we create on stage. And I know that.”

There Is Nothing Left To Lose went on to become the band’s second top-ten album and spawn “Learn To Fly,” one of the band’s signature songs and their first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Read the full interview here.

Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts and ratings) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

10. (TIE) Minx (HBO Max series)

Bye bye officially, New Girl version of Jake Johnson. After years, he’s finally shedding that vibe to portray a rather sleazy publisher who pioneers the first erotic magazine for women. This the 1970s, and he’s gathered a ragtag staff, including an ardent feminist. It’s not the most super serious stuff, of course, but it’s an entertaining watch and gutsy as heck while only getting started.

10. (TIE) Power Of The Dog (Netflix film)

This Oscar-nominated picture fared well at the ceremony, and if you haven’t had the pleasure of watching these fine performances — by Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jesse Plemons — get cracking. Jane Campion and Sam Elliot are clearly on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to viewing what on earth’s going on with Cumberbatch’s sinister rancher, but it sure seems like a clear-cut case of toxic masculinity.

9. Fresh (Searchlight Pictures film on Hulu)

Daisy Edgar-Jones goes on the date(s) from hell here, and Sebastian Stan is so persuasive that almost anyone would fall into the same trap as Noa when it comes to his Steve’s whims. Stan, obviously, is having a freaking ball lately in roles that set him far apart from his MCU character. Between Tommy Lee and his cannibal character, those who paid attention to his earliest work are dearly enjoying him stepping out again. This is also one of the ultimate cautionary tales of dating. The best romcoms can end up being horror movies, too.

8. Severance (Apple TV+ series)

Adam Scott’s the everyman and the leading man, all at the same time, and here, he’s tackling the work-life balance that so many of us struggle with each and every day. This is Ben Stiller’s brainchild, too, and Patricia Arquette and Christopher Walken are along for the ride, all while this story careens toward season-finale land.

7. Halo (Paramount+ series)

Let the gamers be the ultimate arbiters here, but for the rest of us, there’s the versatile Pablo Schreiber in the driver’s seat, making you forget all about his goofy and sinister characters (Orange Is The New Black and Defending Jacob, respectively). Here, he portrays the game’s Master Chief while functioning as the ultimate weapon in humanity’s fight against aliens. Enjoy the sci-fi tropes for what they’re worth and then settle back and enjoy the action as mankind seeks to destroy “the Covenant.”

6. Servant Of The People (Kvartal 95 series on Netflix)

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s fighting for the survival of his country at the moment, but plenty of people have found comfort in this comedy series, in which he portrays an accidental country president, all while we’re watching him refuse a ride out of a hellish warscape. He is, naturally, a comedian and a satirist, as well as pretty much being the Ukrainian Jon Stewart. In other words, this will charm the pants out of you and maybe, just maybe, add some inspiration for you to research the actor and his story, too.

5. Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty (HBO series on HBO Max)

Get to binging because the episodes stacked up fast for this story of the 1980s-era L.A. Lakers, one that will feel digestible to sports-and-non-sports fans alike. John C. Reilly portrays Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who was both a visionary for the team and one who helmed over its not-such-a-good-look aspects. You’ll also witness the exploits (including the rather tragic ones) of Magic Johnson (Quincey Isaiah), so brace yourselves for difficult realizations while witnessing all of the debauchery.

4. Atlanta (FX series on Hulu)

Finally, Donald Glover’s brainchild is back, and it’s still one of the best shows on TV. It’s also surreal to boot, and the core four Earn (Donald Glover), Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), and Van (Zazie Beetz) — are gearing up to head to Europe. They’re on tour and doing well, but they’re still outsiders, so expect some strange sh*t to go down, with or without the Nutella sandwich man in attendance.

3. Taboo (BBC One/FX series on Hulu)

This Tom Hardy show launched in 2017, and it just hit the streaming waves in a significant way as people realize, you know, that this damn show exists while the wait for Season 2 continues. This series stars Delaney as a returning prodigal son of sorts, but hey, he’s also referred to as a The Devil Delaney, and there’s something family-related and taboo going on. It’s pretty bonkers stuff, because everyone wants to kill Tom Hardy. Rude! Seriously, though, there’s something going on that’s more than a little bit Shakespearean. He’s back in London and taking over his dad’s shipping empire. This puts him in a real bind, multiple times, but one thing is certain: Tom Hardy rarely takes a wrong step, and he’s shining through all the grime here with a triumphant performance.

2. Bridgerton (Netflix series)

The bad news, for enthusiasts of The Duke, is that Regé-Jean Page isn’t back this season (as planned), but the good news is that the show still brings the momentum despite the odds. This season focuses upon Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) seeking his own match as outlined by Julia Quinn’s books. Lady Whistledown (already revealed as Penelope, portrayed by Nicola Coughlan) is still doing her thing and f*cking with everyone during her society letters, thank god.

1. Bad Vegan (Netflix series)

The “bad” part of the “vegan” has a few components in this series, not only because Sarma Melngailis stiffed investors and her own employees out of nearly $2 million (after apparently falling under the spell of Anthony Strangis) but also in how she was busted as a fugitive. Those two are both WTF messes, and of course, there’s a lot of discomfort involved in how the swindling went down, but it’s all a sight to see. Also, that dog-immortality stuff is whack, so give this one a whirl if you haven’t already.

Since Latto released her hit single, “Big Energy,” she’s been steadily climbing the Billboard charts, and the song helped anchor her second album, 777, which officially dropped on Friday. And along with the album release, Latto has been teasing an updated remix to “Big Energy,” and with the promo around teasing the upcoming feature, Latto almost got sucked into drama between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, but she skillfully sidestepped by letting everyone know she unequivocally supports both women.

Instead, she finally let fans know for sure on Friday that it was none other than Mariah Carey who had been tapped for the new version of the song, which just dropped and you can hear it above. The very prominent sample on this track is taken from Tom Tom Club’s 1981 single, “Genius Of Love,” and the sample was made incredibly popular by Mariah’s own hit, “Fantasy.” So it’s also not surprising that the “Big Energy” remix, which also features DJ Khaled, is the most logical interpolation of both hits. Mariah contributes lots of whistle notes to the intro of the song, while Latto raps her initial verse, and then Mariah launches into the first verse of “Fantasy.”

It’s kind of like the best of both worlds when it comes to the two hits, and probably destined for some chart success of its own.

Ever since it was announced that Billie Eilish was going to do a Bond theme song, the industry had high hopes for her contribution. Seeing as it hit the Billboard Hot 100 back when it was released, and recently picked up a Golden Globe this past January, the stage was definitely set for Eilish to follow up all her massive Grammys wins and start working on her EGOT.

While there’s no musical or TV show in the works, as of yet, it was tonight’s aching and dramatic performance of the Bond theme song at the 2022 Oscars that really seemed to earn Billie her win. Either she’s an incredible actress to boot, or this song is really hitting home for Billie of late. Whatever it was, the Oscars moved past both the chart-topping, cultish favorite Encanto, and the historical pop power of Beyonce to give the Oscar to Billie, and her constant collaborator, her brother Finneas, for their forlorn song. As a 20-year-old, Billie is officially the first person born in the 21st century to win an Oscar, adding another feather to her cap as an extremely successful young person who only seems to keep going up. In case you missed her performance of the now Oscar-winning track earlier, check it out right here.

Towards the end of an already messy Oscars, Will Smith made things even weirder. After Chris Rock, who was presenting the Best Documentary award (which went to Summer of Soul), made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, her husband stormed the stage, smacked him across the face, then started yelling angrily at him. It left many confused, especially since most of the sound was bleeped on American television. Then something even more awkward happened: Will Smith won an Oscar.

Less than a half-hour after the shocking incident, which dramatically changed the tone of the show, Smith’s name was called out for the Best Actor trophy, for his stirring turn as the father of Venus and Serena, in King Richard. A still visibly shaken and teary Smith took the stage, and he wasted no time in referencing what just happened.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said, and people in the audience definitely got the reference. “In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in his world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I got to protect Saniyaa [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses who played Venus and Serena. I am being called on in my life to love people and to protect people.”

Smith kept stressing the word “protect” as tears rained down his cheek. “I know that to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse…In this business, you have people disrespecting you. You got to pretend like it’s okay,” he said. “Love will make you do crazy things.”

He then said that before this, Denzel Washington told him, “At your highest moment be careful, because that’s when the devil comes for you.” But Smith insisted he was a “vessel for love.” He added, “I want to be an ambassador of love and care and concern.” He then apologized to the Academy and to his fellow nominees (though not to Rock). He concluded his long speech by joking, “I hope the Academy invites me back.”

You can watch Smith’s speech in the tweet embedded above.

Miley Cyrus performed at Lollapalooza Brazil last night and gave a speech in dedication to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. And maybe it was the massive performance that inspired her to announce the release of her first live album, but after sharing the news on stage at the festival, she sent out an email to her fans letting them know about the release.

Here’s Miley’s note about the release from her email:

“My fans have been asking me for a live album for a long time & I am so exxxited to give it to them! This show was curated BY the fans FOR the fans! I asked my audience what songs they’d like to see me perform at upcoming shows and this is the set list YOU created! From fan favorite covers to some of my oldest songs, newest songs & original unreleased songs “YOU” & ATTENTION! I was doing a minimal amount of live shows this year and wanted the MAXIMUM amount of fans to experience ME LIVE! This album wouldn’t be possible without my band & crew! Thank you to everyone who came to see my show & anyone who couldn’t make it THIS ALBUM IS FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU!

The album will be out 4/1, so in just a few days, and the full tracklist is below. The songs for this live album was recorded during Miley’s Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest performance at LA’s Crypto.com Arena.

1. “Attention”
2. “We Can’t Stop X Where Is My Mind?”
3. “Plastic Hearts”
4. “Heart of Glass”
5. “4×4”
6. “(SMS) Bangerz”
7. “Dooo It!”
8. “23”
9. “Never Be Me”
10. “Maybe”
11. “7 Things”
12. “Bang Bang X See You Again”
13. “Jolene”
14. “High”
15. “You”
16. “Like a Prayer”
17. “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”
18. “The Climb”
19. “Wrecking Ball X Nothing Compares 2 U”
20. “Party In The U.S.A.”

The Oscars lost their freaking minds tonight. By now, you darn well know that Will Smith hauled off and smacked Chris Rock, onstage, after he made a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. The show flew into absolute chaos at that point, and there’s a damn good reason why that’s the case. That audible sound (and Will’s tearful Best Actor acceptance speech) virtually guarantees that this was no planned bit.

Here’s an uncensored replay of the full exchange.

Thank goodness Timothée Chalamet stole the red carpet early on, or no one would have noticed if the show and pre-show had happened in reverse. And over on Twitter, of course, everyone was freaking out over “what just happened?”

And then there was the verified “Will Smith” Twitter account, which is not owned by Will Smith the actor. Instead, this is a podcaster and comms pro who happens to also be a Will Smith. The dude caught wind of what went down and reacted accordingly: “Whelp.”

RIP his mentions, for sure. He then tweeted, “I’m sorry if you’re offended.”

From there, all of his reactions to this moment — which are being liked and favorited into oblivion — are instantly going viral. It’s nuts, really, but he lamented how this Oscars moment overshadowed the “In Memoriam” segment. He’s not wrong.

The entire entertainment world came to a halt on Sunday night when Will Smith walked on stage at the Oscars, proceeded to smack the hell out of Chris Rock for telling a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, walk back to his seat, and tell Rock to keep his wife’s name out of his “f**king mouth.”

It was one of the craziest moments in live television history, and after initially seeming like it was possibly a bit, the reaction of everyone certainly indicated this was very real. There was a response from just about everyone, but when the world needs someone to deliver strong takes and immediately stake out a deeply entrenched stance on an issue, we can always turn to one man, our north star in the world of takes, Stephen A. Smith.

Sure enough, despite having an early call-time tomorrow morning for First Take, Smith was dialed on the Oscars and immediately had some thoughts.

This was just the beginning — and please note the commitment to tagging the wrong Will Smith throughout his thread, a man who surely regrets locking down that Twitter handle more than a decade ago in this moment — as he quickly stakes claim to the idea that Smith was 100 percent in the wrong here, lighting up the movie star for “staining the greatest moment of his career,” given he was likely to win Best Actor for King Richard later that night.

For those concerned that Smith was jumping to conclusions too soon, have no fear, he went back and watched the All-22 and confirmed his suspicions that Smith was out of line.

Not only has Smith stained his reputation in Smith’s eyes, but he has ruined the night for everyone. Pack it up, folks, these Oscars are tainted now.

Now, Smith is right in that this will be the only thing people talk about from this night, but his defense of Rock seems to be missing a bit of key information, which is that Jada Pinkett Smith has been very open about her alopecia and its effects on her losing her hair, and Rock’s G.I. Jane joke that he may have thought was benign, seems to have crossed a line in that regard.

It’s also possible that Smith is rattled by Chris Rock’s quick comeuppance, as if people can get slapped on television for inflammatory remarks about someone else, Stephen A. may have to keep an eye out for Kevin Durant or any number of other athletes who might want to pay the Seaport studios a visit.

So that happened. Any montage of Oscar moments includes plenty of unplanned, often chaotic moments. At the 94th ceremony, which had already seen its share of madness, they got one for the ages. While presenting the award for Best Documentary (which went to Summer of Soul, by the way), Chris Rock made a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. (G.I. Jane, if you recall, is a Ridley Scott movie from 1997 starring Demi Moore as a female soldier.) Then something strange happened that left everyone deeply, profoundly confused.

After the joke, which drew gasps and boos, including from Pinkett Smith herself, her husband, Will Smith, nominated for King Richard, stood up, stalked up to the stage, and slapped the hell out of Rock. The sound cut out for what felt like an eternity. Smith was seen yelling angrily. Eventually the sound came back on, with Rock trying to save the moment with another, less offensive joke.

It took some time for everyone to figure out what happened, which was this: Smith repeatedly screamed, “KEEP MY WIFE’S NAME OUT OF YOUR F*CKING MOUTH.’” But even after that, everyone couldn’t believe what happened. Indeed, the words “What just happened” went viral.

Some pointed out that Pinkett Smith has the autoimmune disorder alopecia, which causes hair loss. She’s spoken about embracing the loss of her hair before, meaning Rock definitely struck a nerve.

Others shared video of the uncut exchange, which aired uncensored in other countries.

Some even slowed down the footage, showing how hard Smith struck Rock.

Others tried to guess if it was staged or real.

Others drew lessons from the moment.

And some highlighted the reactions by Lupit Nyong’o, sitting to Smith’s left.

The most shocking moment of the 2022 Oscars had nothing to do with an award.

Before handing out the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (which went to Summer of Soul), presenter Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith looking like “G.I. Jane 2,” a reference to her shaved head, like Demi Moore in the 1997 film. Will Smith walked onto the stage and smacked Rock in the face. It looked like a bit, but it wasn’t.

Los Angeles Times entertainment reporter Amy Kaufman tweeted, “Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith being in ‘G.I. Jane’ because of her bald head. She’s spoken openly about having a hair loss condition. Will Smith ran on stage, slapped Rock, then screamed twice at the top of his lungs ‘KEEP MY WIFE’S NAME OUT OF YOUR F-NG MOUTH.’”

You can watch that moment below.

It was not censored in other markets:

Pinkett Smith has been outspoken about her alopecia:

The actress Jada Pinkett Smith revealed her alopecia diagnosis in 2018, and since then, she’s been embracing the challenges of the condition and publicly displaying evidence of hair loss with confidence and candor.

“Look at this line right here,” Pinkett Smith, 50, said as she pointed to her scalp. “Now this is going to be a little bit more difficult for me to hide, so I thought I’d just share it so y’all not asking any questions — but you know, mama’s going to put some rhinestones in there, and I’m going to make me a little crown.”

Will Smith is up for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard.