Month: March 2023

There was a lot of looking into the camera on The Office, and with good reason: There was supposed to be a documentary crew filming over the entire nine seasons. Everybody did it, and not just Jim Halpert. In fact, breaking the fourth wall — usually a no-no outside the mockumentary genre — was such a big part of the show’s DNA that some of the cast members found it difficult to break the habit on other projects.

As caught by Entertainment Weekly, the eternally nice Steve Carell swung by Office Ladies, the podcast run by fellow alums Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. There, they talked about staring into the lens, usually with a “Can you believe this?” expression. At the time, Carell was not the versatile, Oscar-nominated thespian he soon became. He was a Daily Show vet with a few movies (like Anchorman) under his belt.

“I have never had a job where I didn’t look into the camera at some point,” Carell recalled.

“Same!” replied Fischer. “I can’t not make the camera a character now. It’s such a habit.”

Carell then admitted he’d unthinkingly done just that on one of his movies. “At least once,” he said. “I’m sure on Foxcatcher I like looked into the camera and [then told myself], ‘Nope. You cannot comment on what you just did.’”

Kinsey had done it, too. “I actually had a director say ‘Uh, Angela, you just looked right down the barrel,’” she said.

The Office ran for so long, all while that unseen crew was still apparently rolling, that The Onion even ran a great article around Season 6 entitled, “’The Office’ Ends as Documentary Crew Gets All the Footage It Needs.” Compare that with the original British Office, which ended after two series and 12 episodes, then came back for two specials, in which the documentary compiled from the footage aired in the world of the show.

Speaking of the OG Office, Carell admitted something big about it. “I chose not to watch the British version because I didn’t want that to influence whatever this version was going to be,” he revealed. “[Gervais] was clearly so great at it, he was such a distinctive character, I didn’t want to do an impression of him.”

(Via EW)

When it comes to booking a hotel, is there ever a tried-and-true “best” way to do so? As we found out last week… not really. There are just so many apps out there and hotel options also start popping up on your screen as soon as you book your flight, asking if you want to bundle your flights with a promoted and advertised hotel somewhere close to your destination. For some people, this definitely might be the easiest course of action to take. But what’s the best?

When it comes to actually taking the time to research and find an awesome hotel deal, having the convenience of booking, managing reservations, and comparing rates through a specific app has its perks. Especially if you’re someone who prefers specific amenities or focuses on the feel of a hotel, whether it be more fitness-oriented, eclectic aesthetic, or trendy and healthy. Not only that but if flexibility and occasional last-minute hotel rooms are usually a part of your plans, nailing down the best way to get a hotel is vital.

We’ve already compared eight different apps to see the best way to get a great hotel in Miami. Now we’re doing the same for Austin, just in time for SXSW. Consider using one of these apps to score yourself a deal close to the conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, music performances, and conferences. We punched in the dates to stay at a hotel from March 10-19th close to the Austin Convention Center, so you can spend more time focusing on enjoying the event and less on stressing about your hotel stay.

HOTEL TONIGHT

Like the name implies, this app is best used if you’re in a last-minute pinch and need a hotel…um tonight. With hotel, motel, and resort options spanning the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, users get a plethora of booking options where hotels are trying to fill unsold rooms. It also models as a regular hotel booking app, allowing users to book hotels up to 100 days in advance.

Once you join the HT Perks program, you’ll get access to even more discounts.

PROS:

It has one of the best deal features of any hotel booking app. The Daily Drop allows you to find a personalized deal in your specified city with a special price valid for only 15 minutes. You can use this for a last-minute, same-day hotel booking or even for a booking for a specific set of dates that other hotel booking apps don’t offer. The interface is also very sleek and appealing to use while showing you the prices of hotels and what they used to be listed for and the deal price offered now. It really puts in perspective how much you’re saving.

CONS:

With a name like “Hotel Tonight,” you really make the most of this app if you book a hotel for the same day. Booking a hotel in advance doesn’t really relay as many savings as you’d hope for.

BEST OPTION:

Daily Drop Deal: South Congress Hotel – $263 per night, originally $445.

For SXSW dates, AT&T Hotel & Conference Center – $374 per night, originally $661.

HOTWIRE

Hotwire is cool because it negotiates deals on unsold rooms, giving you pretty hefty deals and discounts on hotel rooms. With its Hot Rate hotels offerings, you can get an insane deal on a hotel room by letting the app choose the hotel for you. Sounds weird, right? Well, it’s a calculated risk. You’re shown a price, hotel rating, general location, and the names of three hotels. It’s kind of like a fun chance game because you book a room and then see which hotel it’ll be at from that list.

PROS:

I was able to directly type in Austin Convention Center as my location, as well as view my 16 choices listed in order of proximity to the venue.

CONS:

Because it’s a hot area right in downtown during one of the city’s busiest weeks, hotels are pricey. The best way to use this app is to use the Hot Rate Hotel Deal, but you don’t actually know what hotel you’re staying at, so it’s a risk for you to take.

BEST OPTION:

One of the several Hot Rate Hotel Deals. You can stay in a four-star boutique hotel with free Wi-Fi for $377 per night instead of its standard $629 per night. That’s a huge 40% discount. If you feel like splurging a little more, you can opt for the 4.5-star hotel deal, listed for $464 per night instead of the usual $776 per night. That’s another huge 40% discount to ball out during the biggest business week in the city. Call it a tax write-off.

HILTON HONORS

This was the only hotel-branded app we decided to download and look into because Hilton does actually have some serious perks. If you’re a Hilton hotel snob, then booking through this app could give you some serious leverage. When you get your free member signup, you’ll get access to guaranteed Hilton Honors discounted rates, account points to use for free nights, no resort fees on reward stays, digital check-ins and check-outs, access to free Wi-Fi, and premium bonuses the more you stay at Hilton-owned bookings.

PROS:

So probably the best thing about this app is that it allows you to choose your room. When booking a hotel room, you can see a map layout of the hotel and select the room you want, including specific floors and views. While the name implies booking Hilton hotels, you can also book hotels brands Curio, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Home2 Suites, Homewood Suites, Tapestry, and Tru, giving you a variety of options that are found throughout the world.

You can also type in an exact location. For this, I typed in “Austin Convention Center” so I could be as close as possible to where SXSW is taking place.

CONS:

If you’re not a Hilton Honors member, then this app is gonna be worthless. The sign-up makes you input all of your information, which is annoying but the points you earn as you book are worth it.

BEST OPTION:

When I filtered to show only available hotels, I had it narrowed down to three options. Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown/Convention Center seemed like the best option with it being only two blocks from the Austin Convention Center and 6th street. You’re paying for location though, so it comes out to $540 per night, which is still cheaper when using your membership discount.

BOOKING.COM

With the word “booking” literally in its name, the app allows you to look at millions of different properties spanning hotels, rental properties, vacation rentals, and more. The app also shows information in over 40 languages, which can be helpful when trying to show a specific hotel’s address to a taxi driver in another country.

You can sign up for free for the “Genius” loyalty program, leading to additional discounts on drinks, airport transportation, and more.

PROS:

Can instantly create an account linking your Google, Facebook, or Apple profile and you’re automatically starting at a 10% discount for all bookings on the app. I was able to sort my options with proximity to the Austin Convention Center, putting me right downtown and where SXSW was taking place. It also shows you the total price you’ll pay instead of per night, which to me is actually more useful.

CONS:

You can’t see your room choices until you press another button when selecting a hotel option, so it requires a little more navigation for comparison.

BEST OPTION:

Hotel Van Zandt – $420 per night for a total of $3,782 plus taxes and fees for nine nights. The hotel is located less than 700 feet from the Austin Convention Center, putting you in the middle of all of the city and event action.

@HOTEL

As the first hotel booking platform for Instagram, users get exceptional travel discount rates through the app’s largest travel network on social media. Users typically save between 30%-50% off hotel rates that aren’t made publicly available on other booking sites. Additionally, @hotel has over 500,000 affiliated worldwide hotels in its network.

PROS:

Scrolling through beautiful travel destinations on Instagram and you’re curious to see how much it would be to book something? You don’t even have to leave the app. Simply go to @hotel on Instagram and you can plug in specific cities, regions, or names of a hotel or luxury stay either by messaging the account directly or using the link in their bio. From there, you’ll get a private booking rate.

It’s very easy to use, sleek, boasts high functionality, and gives you boatloads of information that other booking apps don’t lay out for you, including a list of high-priority nearby destinations. Sorting your options by the best deal will get you the ultimate savings.

CONS:

If you don’t use Instagram, then this may not be your ideal choice. @hotel does have a sister app called Tripscout you can download, but it doesn’t seem to give you all the hefty discounts that it offers through its Instagram page.

BEST OPTION:

Hotel Van Zandt – $400.63 per night, which is cheaper than Booking.com’s deal on the same hotel. However, if you want free Wi-Fi, South Congress Hotel would be the better option, boasting higher reviews and amenities for $639.88 per night thanks to a 17% in-app discount.

AIRBNB

Unlike most hotel booking apps that cater to hotels specifically, AirBnB – meaning “Air Bed and Breakfast” – offers people an easy way to book apartments, homes, guest houses, and more. The app allows people to rent out their homes in a relatively stress-free way and as a result, opens up hundreds – if not thousands – of “homier” rentals to tourists looking to check out an area.

PROS:

Can specifically search in an easy-to-navigate map view, so while I couldn’t directly type in “Austin Convention Center,” I could hover over the downtown location on the map and get the closest options for available dates. With booking an AirBnB, you often get a kitchen or kitchenette, and multiple rooms to roam around in, unlike booking a standard hotel room.

CONS:

Because we’re looking for a stay for nine nights over SXSW week, there aren’t too many options that are within walking distance to the Austin Convention Center. With this, it’s best to always plan pretty far in advance when booking on AirBnB to get exactly what you’re looking for. AirBnB is also notorious for tacking on hidden cleaning and service fees which you don’t see until you get to your final reservation screen.

BEST OPTION:

Charming Downtown Austin One Bedroom – $275 per night plus fees.

HOTELS.COM

With “hotel” literally in its name, booking a hotel on this app has some serious advantages and perks. First, when you make your profile, you can access reward status through your profile, earning one free night stay at a hotel for every 10 nights you stay. Additionally, booking hotels through the app through rewards points won’t incur a fee, unlike booking through the website. The app also boasts “Deals For Tonight” features for last-minute reservations in your target city and area, which is helpful for anyone who finds themselves making last-minute plans.

PROS:

It took me less than one minute to create a free membership account linked to my Google account. This is one of the best hotel booking apps where you can filter out many different amenities and features. I was able to select “free Wi-Fi” and show my options in proximity to the Austin Convention Center.

CONS:

This app doesn’t seem to reap as many hotel discounts as others. I saw higher prices for hotels than I did on other apps. Because of this, I think it’s best used if you consistently book through this app and get to 10-night bookings to get a free night hotel stay.

BEST OPTION:

Casulo Hotel – $224 per night for a total of $2,359 for a king-sized suite. This puts you 2.5 miles away from the Austin Convention Center while staying at a boutique hotel with an outdoor pool near South Congress Avenue.

EXPEDIA

Probably one of the most well-known booking sites for all things hotels, Expedia can come in handy featuring exclusive deals of up to 40% on its app that may not show up on the website. Additionally, by booking through the app, users earn two points per dollar spent, which can be used to save money on future bookings, as well as get free breakfast, spa credits, room upgrades, and more. And while we’re here to compare hotel booking apps, Expedia does allow you to also book flights, car rentals, and vacation packages from the convenience of your phone.

PROS:

Looks nearly identical to Hotels.com when it comes to filtering your price range and amenities. I love knowing that by booking on the app, I’m earning double the points on all hotel bookings to earn great rewards. Expedia also gives you hotel and full home or condo rentals as well, so you can see all of your booking options.

CONS:

Interface is extremely dull and boring. It’s just not a pretty app to be using.

BEST OPTION:

Sonder at East 5th – $442 per night for a deluxe one-bedroom suite and a full kitchen, located just half a mile from the Austin Convention Center and all the downtown happenings.

The Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors do not like each other, particularly after a conference semifinals series a year ago in which there were allegations of dirty play from both sides, plenty of chippiness, and even more chatter.

The Warriors won that series in six games en route to their fourth championship in eight years, but the upstart Grizzlies have not stopped talking about Golden State since. Most recently, Dillon Brooks took aim at Draymond Green in an ESPN profile on the Memphis wing who is at this point best known for his antics, like hitting Donovan Mitchell in the nuts, and propensity for getting into scuffles and running his mouth — as he recently served a one-game suspension for getting his 16th technical of the season.

Brooks said he doesn’t want any comparisons to Green, noting how he doesn’t like the Warriors star big man and downplaying Draymond’s impact on the court. That, of course, made its way to Draymond who used his podcast to torch Brooks, calling into question whether his Grizzlies teammates like him and explaining he’s one of the main reasons they won’t compete for a championship.

“If you ever wondered why the Memphis Grizzlies is not ready to compete for a championship, look no further than this idiot right here,” Green says. “They’re actually depending on this guy to win a championship, and he says ‘his game is cool.’ Quite frankly, that just shows how little you know about basketball. And yet you runnin’ around talkin’ about a dynasty? The dynasty starts after you. Not with you.”

Brooks’ ability to make just about everyone around the league dislike him is fairly impressive, as Green is far from the first player to light him up publicly — Mitchell did the same after their scuffle earlier this year. He, like the Grizzlies as a team, has an awful lot to prove in the coming months as there’s been a lot of chatter out of Memphis that teams and fans are starting to want to see backed up in the postseason.

Christine And The Queens is a creative chameleon, in the best way. The French artist’s ability to evolve and express from different yet always authentic vantage points is poignant. Last November, Chris released his Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles album under the Redcar moniker.

Today, March 8, he announced its follow-up album, PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, which was co-produced by Mike Dean. The 20-track project features Madonna (three times) and 070 Shake (twice). Its first single, “To Be Honest,” released simultaneous with the news.

Christine And The Queens directed an accompanying black-and-white “To Be Honest” video. In it, there are no distractions — just an uninhibited stream of consciousness. “And I’ve been through so much,” Chris sings. “That sometimes it feels far / It is like a movie / Played by another star / She’s a stranger / To be honest.”

In a statement, Chris delved further into what fans can expect once PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE drops this June:

“This new record is the second part of an operatic gesture that also encompassed 2022’s Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles. Taking inspiration from the glorious dramaturgy of Tony Kushner’s iconic play, Angels in America, Redcar felt colourful and absurd like Prior sent to his insane dream-space. The follow-up PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE is a key towards heart-opening transformation, a prayer towards the self — the one that breathes through all the loves it is made of. Prior’s real agony in Angels in America is a deep, painful becoming, a shedding of all waters and memories, that then allows angels to immerse deep too, and offer back profound, narrative-altering love — a rest in true love.”

PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE will arrive as Christine And The Queens curates the nine-day Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre in London and weeks ahead of his set at Glastonbury Festival. The (semi-controversial) lineup was revealed last week. Chris is also slated to perform at Coachella 2023 in April.

Below, check out the PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE album art and tracklist, as well as Christine And The Queens’ confirmed upcoming live dates.

1. “Overture”
2. “Tears Can Be So Soft”
3. “Marvin Descending”
4. “A Day In The Water”
5. “Full Of Life”
6. “Angels Crying In My Bed” featuring Madonna
7. “Track 10”
8. “Overture” featuring Mike Dean
9. “He’s Been Shining For Ever, Your Son”
10. “Flowery Days”
11. “I Met An Angel” featuring Madonna
12. “True Love” featuring 070 Shake
13. “Let Me Touch You Once” featuring 070 Shake
14. “Aimer, Puis Vivre”
15. “Shine”
16. “We Have To Be Friends”
17. “Lick The Light Out” featuring Madonna
18. “To Be Honest”
19. “I Feel Like An Angel”
20. “Big Eye”

03/25 — Manchester, UK — 6 Music Festival, Victoria Warehouse
04/13 — San Francisco, CA — Regency Ballroom
04/16 — Indio, CA — Coachella
04/18 — San Diego, CA — Humphrey’s
04/19 — Los Angeles, CA — The Fonda Theatre
04/23 — Indio, CA — Coachella
05/19 — São Paulo, Brazil — C6 Fest, Ibirapuera Park
05/28 — Saint-Brieuc, France — Art Rock
06/02 — Barcelona, Spain — Primavera Barcelona
06/09 — Madrid, Spain — Primavera Madrid
06/11 — Hilvarenbeek, NL — Best Kept Secret Festival
06/15 — Oslo, NO — Pipfest
06/9-18 — London, UK — Meltdown Festival
06/28 — Gdynia, Poland — Open’er Festival
06/30 — Roskilde, DK — Roskilde Festival
07/02 — Werchter, BE — Rock Werchter Festival
07/06 — Luxembourg — Neumunstter Abbey
08/05 — Cornbury Park, UK — Wilderness Festival

PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE is out 06/09 via Because Music. Find more information here.

Ever wonder what an ideal date for a lemur would be? Or a lizard’s favorite Disney princess?

Thanks to one YouTube poster with a passion for animals and an endearing sense of humor, all questions shall be answered. Well, maybe not all questions. But at the very least, you’ll have eight minutes of insanely cute footage.

In a series titled “Tiny Mic Interviews,” Maya Higa approaches little beasties with a microphone so small she has to hold it with just her thumb and forefinger. And yes, 99% of the animals try to eat it.

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There’s Ginger, the pig with a lot of stored up resentment toward the big bad wolf. She ain’t afraid to talk about it, either. Or so her passionate snorts would indicate.

Then there’s Brazilian porcupine Boris (at least, I think that’s what Boris is after Googling, I’m no zoologist), who is asked to name his favorite food. For the record, it’s corn. And no, you may not touch his snoot.

Godzilla, the itsy bitsy turtle that fits into one hand, gets asked, ironically, “what’s it like being land’s fastest animal?” Though Godzilla remains stoically silent, an image of super cool speedster sunglasses gets superimposed onto his face, along with the words “I am speed.”

The best part to me is a bird, aptly named Giggles, gloriously laughing at a cheesy joke. In fact, here’s a nod to all the birds with impeccable names in this video.

Mordecai, Costello, Bartholomew (these include stars from Higa’s first interview) … I’m looking at you.

Though these critters provide some top notch entertainment, there’s plenty of valuable information being thrown into the mix as well.

All the exotic “interviewees” are part of Zoo To You Conservation Ambassadors, a permitted facility in California, Higa informs her viewers. Rescued or surrendered from the illegal pet trade, or permanently injured, these animals receive permanent care and become a part of Zoo To You’s education program. Pretty sweet gig, right?

Higa herself is a wildlife rehabilitator, falconer and streamer who focuses a lot of her content on conservation. Though her online persona veers toward the upbeat and positive, she isn’t afraid to shed light on some darker facts around certain threats many species face.

“The natural world that these animals come from is being absolutely decimated,” Higa states in another video. “The UN estimates that over one million plant and animal species face extinction today. Pollution, habitat loss, climate change, the wildlife trade, exploitation, general human intervention…is causing us to lose species at rates unprecedented in human history. We’re experiencing a mass extinction.”

Wanting to be part of the solution, Higa has founded her own nonprofit organization called Alveus, which, like Zoo To You, acts as an exotic animal sanctuary and virtual education center.

If you’d like to support Higa’s sanctuary, you can do so by donating to [email protected] via PayPal.

And if you’re already jonesing for more adorable “Tiny Mic Interviews,” you’re in luck! You can find even more on Maya’s YouTube channel here.

This article originally appeared on 09.02.22

Selena Gomez has been at the center of attention lately for all of the alleged drama involving Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey. She even said she was “taking a break” from social media toward the end of February. But today, March 8, is International Women’s Day, so the actress and singer took the opportunity to share a thoughtful statement on social media.

The “Lose You To Love Me” performer posted a photo of herself as a kid on Instagram. In the caption, she wrote, “Dear younger me, please don’t be afraid to ask for help.” She continued: “Today is International Women’s Day and I want each of us to be gentler to ourselves. Write your younger self a @RareBeauty #rarereminder and stick it on your mirror to remind yourself that you deserve the world. Love you.”

One of the latest updates of the viral, inescapable gossip was Gomez asking fans to be kinder to others earlier this week.

“Thank you and love you all so much,” she wrote in the comments of a TikTok video. “I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of you humans. You make me unbelievably happy.” A few minutes later, she added in another comment, “Please, please be kinder and consider others mental health. My heart has been heavy and I only want good for everyone. All my love [folded hands emoji].”

Disclaimer: While all of the products recommended here were chosen independently by our editorial staff, Uproxx may receive payment to direct readers to certain retail vendors who are offering these products for purchase.

Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. What the hell happened this week? Seriously, where did all the sneaker brands go? Aside from a single release, every notable drop is coming directly from Nike. Adidas has nothing, New Balance has nothing. I even checked PUMA and Reebok and it just looks like none of the brands want to try this week.

What’s up with that?

Well, blame the Air Jordan 3 White Cement Reimagined. If I was a sneaker brand that wasn’t Nike, I too would take a vacation if I had to compete with a re-release of what just might be the greatest sneaker of all time. So… this is a great week for Nike fans and a horrible week for everyone else. Luckily, like most sneakerheads, we’re Nike fans.

Let’s dive into this week’s best drops, even though we all know what’s going to steal everyone’s attention!

Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co 1837

A luxury sneaker at its finest, this Nike and Tiffany & Co. collaboration hit the Nike SNKRS app this week and sold out nearly instantly. It may not look like it at first glance, but this sneaker is as New York as it gets, it takes a classic NYC brand, Tiffany, and combines it with a silhouette that speaks to the city, the AF-1, in one of the most classic colorways popularized by the rise of streetwear, the Triple Black, and filters it all into one design.

Rounding out the Triple Black look are bright Tiffany blue accents with sterling silver heel details and a premium leather upper. It’s a work of art and one of Nike’s best releases of the year so far.

The Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co 1837 is out now for a retail price of $400. Pick up a pair at aftermarket sites like GOAT.

Nike Air Max 97 Golden Bullet

The first color that comes to mind when thinking of the Air Max 97 for many sneakerheads is without a doubt the metallic silver rendition. It is the silhouette’s signature color. But what if it wasn’t? Nike makes the case for gold this week with the Golden Bullet 97.

Featuring a synthetic leather and mesh upper with a polished Metallic Gold colorway across the entire sneaker, the Golden Bullet sports reflective details throughout and a crimson red mini swoosh. This is a dope pair of sneakers but we’d be lying if we didn’t say that it immediately brings to mind C-3P0. Be prepared for your nerdiest friends to call you ‘3P0’ when you step out in these.

The Nike Air Max 97 Golden Bullet is out now in a full-size run for a retail price of $185. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Nike Women’s Air Jordan 2 Gym Red and Dark Powder Blue

If you were looking for even more evidence that the Jordan 2 is back, aside from, you know, all the dope colorways that have come out in the last year, then check out this women’s exclusive low-top pair in Gym Red and Dark Powder Blue. A women’s exclusive pair means the 2s are selling, and Nike is looking for even more people to sell them to.

This low-top features a premium leather upper and a collar with extra padding for an even more comfy fit. The colorway is dominated by a white upper with small red accents and a blue heel piece.

The Nike Women’s Air Jordan 2 Gym Red and Dark Powder Blue is out now for a retail price of $150. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Nike SB Blazer Low x Doyenne Coconut Milk and Rattan

Nike has teamed up with the Glasgow-based skate brand Doyenne for a milky white take on the Blazer Low. Featuring a canvas upper made from pineapple waste, this durable skate shoe sports a neutral-toned coconut milk upper with brown accents along the collar and swoosh, with a blurred graphic insole and dual-branding.

The Nike SB Blazer x Doyenne Coconut Milk and Rattan is out now for a retail price of $100. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

END. X Reebok Club C 85 ‘Stout’

Reebok is saving SNX from being an all-Nike list this week, and for that, we thank them. The Club C is one of the greatest sneaker silhouettes of all time and to celebrate the design UK based streetwear brand END. Clothing is dropping a super premium rendition that serves as both a celebration of the design and St. Patrick’s Day with its Stout-inspired colorway.

Featuring a black suede upper with a Terry lining sockliner, the Reebok branding gets a slight redesign here with a four-leave clover graphic to help round out the concept. If the beer connection wasn’t obvious enough, the insoles read ‘Drink Responsibly,’ and the release drops with a co-branded beer towel.

The END. X Reebok Club C 85 Stout is set to drop on March 9th for a retail price of $105. Enter the raffle at END’s official drop page.

Nike LeBron NXXT Gen x FaZe Clan Black and University Red

LeBron has teamed up with the e-sports team FaZe Clan for a moody and sinister take on the NXXT Gen silhouette. Featuring a textile upper and a double swoosh design that brings together a cross-stitch oversized logo and a small embroidered gem-style logo, this NXXT Gen is rounded out by a black and red midsole, and dual branding at the tongue.

An e-sports sneaker doesn’t need to go this hard (hell, you can game in slippers) but we’re not complaining that LeBron put together something that looks this mean for his FaZe Clan team-up.

The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen x FaZe Clan Black and University Red is set to drop on March 9th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $160. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Nike Air Jordan 3 White Cement Reimagined

Jordan fans rejoice, the Air Jordan 3 White Cement is back! This reimagined classic celebrates the sneaker’s 35 years with a slightly aged aesthetic across its original design. Vintage design details, like the eyelets, backtab, elephant print mudguard, and Nike Air branding are restored while the midsole features some light yellowing got a vintage look.

The colorway is that classic combination of white, sail, and Fire Red and it looks just as good as when it dropped in 1988. We could’ve done without the artificially aged midsole but it’s hard to be mad at it when it still looks this good.

The Nike Air Jordan 3 White Cement Reimagined is set to drop on March 11th at 7:00 AM PST for a retail price of $210. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or aftermarket sites like GOAT and Flight Club.

As you may have heard, there was a new Chris Rock stand-up special Saturday. The comic said some shocking things. For one, he revealed that he secretly got his daughter kicked out of school (for a good reason). Oh, and he also broke his silence over the Will Smith Oscars slap. His scorched earth tirade, in which he showed he hadn’t moved on, drew a ton of gasps, even allegedly from Jada Pinkett Smith’s former sidepiece. Alas, that guy is now denying he even watched it.

Page Six had previously reported that August Alsina — the singer who was previously involved in an “entanglement” with Will Smith’s spouse — had tuned in to watch Selected Outrage, Rock’s live Netflix special. A source said Alsina, unlike Jada, enjoyed it.

“August watched the Netflix special and he laughed,” a source claimed. “He thought it was not only funny but truthful. That was the best part for him.”

Alas, it was not to be. A rep for Alsina reached out to ET, denying that he’d even watched it. “Mr. Alsina has not seen Chris Rock’s special at all, as he’s been busy on tour,” the rep said. So apparently Alsina has not taken an hour to kick back and watch an old flame — and her understandably hurt husband — get torched by one of the planet’s most famous comics.

(Via ET and Page Six)

High-level talent competition shows have been around for a long time. And from them, we’ve come to expect spectacular performances from trained artists completely dedicated to their craft. While that’s remarkable to watch, sometimes it’s just as inspiring to witness average folks doing something they love.

Take it from Sara Beth, a mother of three recently dubbed the “Accidental American Idol.”

First of all, Sara Beth is filled to the brim with quirky charm and does nothing to try to hide her nervousness. Judge Katy Perry accurately described her as a “comic strip character brought to life.” In a sea of ultra confident divas, it’s refreshing, to say the least.

Second, as a 25-year-old who married and started a family young, Sara Beth admitted that she had been focused on being there for her kids and only recently began pursuing music. Or as she called it, having “a minute for me.”

So when asked if singing was her dream, Sara Beth was hesitant.

“I’m still processing…I can’t even answer. This is so much,” she confessed.

That answer didn’t impress judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, but it certainly resonated with people—parents in particular.

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“As a mother of two young boys I can easily relate to this not being her dream yet,” one mom wrote. “She has spent years pouring into others and taking it day by day and she just recently pulled her head out of water and remembered that she is a person with talents and hobbies and interests outside of being a mom…she doesn’t even have the mental capacity for [“American Idol”] to be a dream yet but she took a huge bet on herself.”

Despite Sara Beth not fitting the usual parameters for an American Idol, there was no denying her incredible voice once she started singing.

Watch:

Sara Beth might have moved forward with only two out of three yes votes, but let’s just say her audience approval rate was pretty damn unanimous.

“Sara Beth is wonderfully herself and a breath of fresh air, judges are faced with a woman who is open with no filters of fear. I think she’s amazing.”

“I think she IS the hidden gem in this competition. She could definitely win.”

“I won’t be surprised if she wins this whole thing.”

Just take it from the “Accidental American Idol”: It’s okay to be unsure…and go for the thing anyway.

It’s been nearly six years since we last got a solo album from H. Hawkline, the moniker of UK musician Huw Evans. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy in the time since. He’s been touring with Aldous Harding, collaborating with Cate Le Bon (who produced his latest effort) and translating his quiet ruminations into song for his fifth studio album, Milk For Flowers.

Milk For Flowers, out Friday via Heavenly Recordings, stands as Hawkline’s most intimate and touching work to date. Songs like “Empty Room” touch on themes of grief and loneliness underscored a longing slide guitar, while others like the upbeat piano ballad “Milk For Flowers” and “Plastic Man” juxtapose lyrics about loss with a jaunty rhythm. “I’m not so good at showing vulnerability and I think that’s why, in the past, there’s been a tendency to obscure or make abstract any real emotion, either lyrically or musically,” Evans said in a statement. “It was impossible to do any of those things with this album: I had to sing.”

Ahead of his album Milk For Flowers, H. Hawkline talks friendly strangers, Jockstrap (the band), and making the most of life in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Square peg, round hole.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

Like a useful man.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

I played in Caracas recently in Devendra Banhart’s band, it was pretty special and I doubt I’ll ever get to play there again. There and Newcastle.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

Newcastle Travel Lodge, UK.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

It’s all the people all the time, there was an old lady on the bus once who told me her entire life story whilst slowly stealing my coffee. People like that.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Marcello’s in Cardiff, a molten hot pasta bake called a ‘James Bowman’ (all the dishes were named after classical composers and singers), garlic bread and a can of coke.

What album do you know every word to?

Abbey Road.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci in Venue Cymru in Llandudno when I was 16.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

A silk dressing gown, it’s comfortable, chic, has a good silhouette and is easy to put on.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Mestre Ensinador on Instagram, I think he’s Brazilian, he has a puppet, it dances, he ticks all my boxes. I also like the usual stuff, cats knocking things over, children getting hurt, any kind of video that involves the restoration of something that looks beyond repair, all the mindless junk that rots your brain. Twitter is just pure hell, I don’t know why I do it to myself.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

It changes every tour. I remember once a friend in Glasgow made us a compilation for the van and the first song on it was “You Got It’ by Roy Orbison and we listened to it about 15 times, the CD had to be taken away from me in the end, I lost it.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“10x10cm cream tiles.”

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

At the minute, Jockstrap. I was also listening to the radio in the bath earlier tonight and Jessica Pratt came on and it was a nice moment.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Give birth to me and then love me every day, I was lucky.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Make the most of it, kiddo.

What’s the last show you went to?

Tim Presley singing karaoke at Giant Rock in Landers, he sang “Big Iron” by Marty Robbins, at one point I looked out the window and saw a coyote with a tear in his eye.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Alien, if it’s on, it stays on. I watch it every Christmas. I think I watched it for the first time when I was 9, it was the Christmas holidays, I was allowed to stay up late, maybe my parents had friends over, I can remember switching through all 4 channels, I got to channel 4 and the announcer said “Next on Channel 4, Ridley Scot’s 1979 sci fi classic, Alien.” And I thought “Hmmmm, that sounds cool.” I knew by the end of the titles that it was going to be terrifying but I watched it anyway. The first half hour is so calm and cosy and then… chestbuster. For the rest of the film I would switch channels every time it got too scary. My dream house would look like the kitchen on the Nostromo.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

I’m not a terrible hairdresser.

Milk For Flowers is out 3/10 via Heavenly. Find more information here.