Month: May 2023

Back in 2021, the then-HBO Max ordered two adult animation shows: a Scooby-Doo spinoff titled Velma, and a second season of the 2003 cult classic Clone High. Surprisingly, Velma was the one that caused a ton of backlash, and not the one that stars JFK as a horny teenager. But there is still time!

Clone High will make its grand return twenty years after the original series, created by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, aired. The show follows fictionalized versions of important historical figures, like Marie Cuire and Paul Revere, while putting them in the worst situation imaginable: high school. Here is the official synopsis for season two:

A modern refresh of the hit series of the same name, CLONE HIGH follows a high school for clones of the greatest minds in history. Twenty years after the original experiment was put on ice, Joan, JFK, Abe, and Cleo have been thawed out to resume school with their new clone classmates – all while navigating a new set of cultural norms and overly dramatic teen relationships.

Many of the original cast are returning, including Will Forte as Abe Lincoln, Nicole Sullivan as Joan of Arc, and co-creator Chris Miller as JFK. In addition to the returning players, a fun slew of guest stars will stop by to voice important historical figures as teens, including (but not limited to): Ayo Edebiri as Harriet, Kelvin Yu as Confucius, Jana Schmieding as Sacagawea and Danny Pudi as Dr. Neelankavil. If those people aren’t important to you whatsoever, then you’re in luck: the cast also includes Michael Bolton as Michael Bolton and Mandy Moore as Mandy Moore, which nobody can argue with.

Season two will also introduce all of the fun stuff that we didn’t have in 2003, like social media and iPhones. Are you ready to see JFK try to FaceTime? No? Good… nobody should be.

Clone High will debut on Max on May 23rd.

While every traveler has their specific vision of what a “bucket list” trip would include, there are some destinations in the United States that seem to show up again and again – like a trip to California wine country. And while there are many areas of California known for beautiful vineyards and incredible wine, nothing approaches the prestige of the Napa and nearby Sonoma wine regions.

Home to many of the most well-known and exclusive wineries, restaurants, outdoor recreation spots, and hotels – there is something in these NorCal communities for every kind of traveler (except the budget kind, the region is pricey). Still, you don’t have to be a wine enthusiast – or even a wine drinker for that matter – to enjoy the lush green beauty and quaint towns that dot these legendary wine regions. I recently spent a week solo exploring Sonoma and Napa, barely scratching the surface of what this surprisingly large area offers, here are my recommendations:

WHERE TO DRINK:

While Napa Valley and Sonoma County are incredibly diverse and offer a wide range of activities for any traveler, the big draw is still, of course, the wine. Grapes were planted in Sonoma County as early as 1812 while George Calvert Yount was the first to grow grapes in Napa Valley in 1839. In 1861 Charles Krug opened the first commercial winery in Napa Valley and by 1889 there were over 140 wineries in operation.

After many wineries were abandoned after prohibition and a destructive root louse, Napa and Sonoma began rebuilding – with California wine country truly being put “on the map” after the Paris tasting of 1976 where California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay beat out their French competitors in a blind tasting for the first time.

You’ll need reservations for nearly any wine tasting in Napa and many in Sonoma. During peak seasons and weekends, these can be tricky to come by, so planning is of course the name of the game here.

BERINGER VINEYARDS — ST. HELENA

I spent a lovely afternoon at Beringer Vineyards – the oldest continuously operating vineyard in not just Napa but all of California. And while I’m sure any wine drinker has picked up some Beringer at the grocery store, let me tell you, there is so much more to experience at the vineyard. I first enjoyed a tour of the incredible grounds and wine caves with a glass while learning about the history of the vineyard before sitting down to a decadent Veranda Tasting at the historic Rhine House. The tasting included a selection of Beringer’s single vineyard reserve wines.

Tasting info:

There are various tastings and tours available, as well as the option to “Sip and Stroll” the grounds with a glass of wine. Prices start at $20 – $125 and can be reserved in advance here.

HALL WINES — ST. HELENA

Hall Wines came highly recommended to me by some other travelers earlier in my trip. After driving by the “Bunny Foo-Foo” sculpture that greets visitors to its St. Helena property, I knew this spot was my style. The “Modern Tasting Gallery” is a part modern art gallery, and part wine tasting room with over 35 pieces of contemporary art, and several options for tastings and tours.

I enjoyed a Cabernet tasting and a walk on the incredible grounds as the sun was setting. It was one of the most magical parts of my trip.

Tasting Info:

Tastings at the St. Helena location start at $60 and tours at $75. Book in advance here.

CHANDON — YOUNTVILLE

I couldn’t leave Napa Valley without stopping for a glass of my favorite bubbles – Chandon. While parts of the winery are undergoing construction, the grounds are still accessible and immaculate. I could ride a bike from my hotel – the nearby Napa Valley Lodge in Yountville – and enjoy a glass of rose bubbles under the sun. Open Thursday – Sunday, Chandon offers many different tasting experiences. I was happy to be able to purchase a glass on its own and relax – something that wasn’t available without a tasting at many of the other vineyards I visited.

Tasting Info:

Tastings start at $50 and can be reserved here.

VIANSA SONOMA WINERY & TASTING ROOM — SONOMA

When I asked the concierge at Fairmont Sonoma for a recommendation of a winery that I could A) walk into without a reservation and B) featured fantastic views, they immediately pointed me towards Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room. The 4th-generation run family winery in Sonoma is perched up on a hillside with incredible panoramic views of the Sonoma Valley, immaculate grounds, and hospitality that is as incredible as the Italian varietal wines. I enjoyed a tasting outside on the hilltop terrace with a selection of four wines.

Tasting Info:

There are many different tasting experiences available at Viansa starting at $35 for non-members and can be reserved here.

WHERE TO EAT:

Napa and Sonoma are both foodie destinations in their own right, with strong agricultural traditions, and are home to many high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. The fertile soil and Mediterranean climate of the area make it ideal for growing a variety of crops, including grapes, olives, fruits, and vegetables. While I definitely spent more time wine-tasting and charcuterie board grazing than restaurant-hopping, all of the food I had was truly one of a kind.

NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN

While not technically a restaurant per se, the Napa Valley Wine Train was where I had some of the best food of my entire trip. I went all in on the full-day Legacy Experience that includes wine tastings with a 4-course meal between. We started the day with smoked salmon eggs benedict and bubbles during the ride to our first tasting. For my second course, I chose the grilled beef tenderloin, with parsnip puree, charred shallots, forest mushrooms, and bordelaise. The third course was a brie from Marin County with local honey, olives, fennel pollen, and ciabatta followed by the desert course where I chose a decadent chocolate cake.

It was as luxurious and extravagant as it sounds — and I recommend it to everyone.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers the day-long experience as well as several other experiences that include tastings with lunch, afternoon tea, and even a seven-course “Tasting on the Rails.” Book your experience here.

AD HOC — YOUNTVILLE

Yountville is of course famous for chef Thomas Keller’s legendary French Laundry restaurant, but for a more casual experience, I opted to head to Keller’s more casual spot: Ad Hoc. Serving a set four-course menu each night with innovative takes of classic American comfort food, I was truly rendered speechless by my meal. I started with a kale salad, followed by an herb-roasted chicken with smashed potatoes and an incredible salsa verde. I finished my feast with a coconut cake while drinking great wine (of course).

The ambiance was sleek and I loved that it was within walking distance from my hotel in downtown Yountville.

KIVELSTADT CELLARS AND WINEGARTEN — SONOMA

After spending my entire trip budget on wine tastings (when in wine country, right?), I asked a local for a recommendation for “food that is not pretentious in an eclectic environment.” They recommended Kivelstadt Cellars and Winegarten on the spot– and I understand why. The menu is thoughtful and delicious without being overly fussy. I loved sitting in the wine garden patio area with some of their wine (served straight out of kegs to eliminate waste), a book, and a delicious burger.

WHERE TO STAY:

FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN AND SPA — SONOMA

I was excited to stay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa as I am a fan of the Fairmont brand, and again I was not disappointed. From the moment I drove onto the grounds I felt like I was in a fairytale. I was greeted by a 100-year-old sycamore tree and somehow the historic property just kept getting better and more scenic from there. As a member of the Historic Hotels of America, the property dates back to 1927, with a colorful history throughout its several iterations.

Situated over geothermal mineral spring pools, there are several hot pools at the spa along with a rejuvenating self-guided bathing ritual and — my personal favorite — a relaxing spa pool with music playing under the water.

I loved the balcony adjacent to my room among the sycamores, the nightly wine tastings in the lobby, and the guest shuttle was a great perk. Walk and bikable to much of Sonoma, it was the perfect spot for exploration and relaxation. Book your stay here.

With all of the various individual awards handed out, the NBA will spend the first week of May handing out the various All-League honors, starting with the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie Teams.

The first team featured Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of the Magic alongside Jazz big man Walker Kessler, Thunder forward Jalen Williams, Kings sharpshooter Keegan Murray, and Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin.

The second team features two pairs of teammates as two Pistons (Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren), two Rockets (Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason), and one Spur (Jeremy Sochan) round out the All-Rookie selections.

The voting shows how close it was for some of the second-team spots, with Eason beating out Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard by one point for the last spot. Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe, Atlanta’s AJ Griffin, and Denver’s Christian Braun all also received double-digit votes, but fell short of second-team honors.

Banchero was the lone unanimous first-team selection, with Williams getting 99 first-team votes and Kessler receiving 95. It is worth wondering if someone got the two Jalen/Jaylin Williams’ confused, as Jaylin got one first-team vote that very well might have been meant for Jalen, which would explain why he didn’t get unanimously selected. Overall, there aren’t a ton of surprises in the voting, as there are arguments to be made for a number of the players in the middle of the pack given it comes down to personal preference regarding role and production when it comes to the second-team selections.

Beyoncé rarely, if ever, comes in second to anyone. Taylor Swift rarely, if ever, comes in second to anyone. Something has to give this summer. Swift launched her The Eras Tour in March, and the North American leg will stretch until August 9. Beyoncé is beginning her Renaissance World Tour overseas this week before hitting North America from July through September.

According to Forbes, Beyoncé is poised to earn more than Swift in tour gross:

“Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter — also known as Queen Bey — could clear nearly $2.2 billion from her Renaissance World Tour — some $600 million more than the $1.6 billion Taylor Swift could earn from Eras. Those eyepopping estimates are based on the most optimistic assumptions of the number of fans buying tickets at their concerts and high average ticket prices of about $700.

They also assume the artists take home a considerable share of merchandise proceeds and pay tour expenses of 20% of revenues — leaving them with the other 80%. Renaissance could gross between $275 million and $2.57 billion from tickets alone by the time it ends in September. Beyoncé’s most optimistic ticket revenue estimate — $2.57 billion — is well above Eras‘ $1.9 billion most optimistic box office.”

There were also parallels drawn between the two tours upon Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour announcement at the start of February.

After Ticketmaster epically botched the presale for Swift’s The Eras Tour last fall — underestimating fan demand by millions and canceling the general sale — the Beyhive was stressed to hear Ticketmaster was also handling Renaissance World Tour ticket sales. The Senate Judiciary Committee even put Ticketmaster on notice.

In terms of Forbes‘ projections, initial demand for Renaissance World Tour tickets would indicate that Beyoncé is in for a record payday. Some fans were relegated to the waitlist during Ticketmaster’s pre-sale raffle, and Megan Thee Stallion had to put in a direct request.

Finally, a bit of good news that should have us all shouting “Yes (Chef)!”

On Monday, FX announced the return of The Bear this summer. The second season of the breakout Hulu drama is set to be delivered on June 22nd with the show adding an extra two episodes of back-of-house chaos to its order. After earning praise from critics and amassing a huge fanbase on social media when it premiered last summer, this next 10-episode run picks up where the season one finale left off — with Jeremy Allen White’s Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto shutting down his family’s Italian beef-ery to open a new, next-level shop the neighborhood can be proud of.

Ayo Edebiri (Sydney) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Cousin Richie) are set to return as is the rest of the kitchen crew, helping Carmy plan his new menu, refine the joint’s reputation for hometown hospitality, and weather the struggles of permit setbacks and contracting hiccups as they bring their new restaurant to life. The show also welcomes some familiar faces as guest stars this season including Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk and Booksmart’s Molly Gordon.

According to FX’s release announcement, all 10 episodes of the new season will drop on Hulu come June 22nd, so plan your weekends accordingly.

(Via Variety)

Disney is definitely not backing down from its federal lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In a new legal filing on Monday, the Walt Disney Company has expanded its claims against DeSantis thanks to the governor’s public efforts to retaliate against the entertainment giant for opposing his controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

At issue in this latest filing is DeSantis’ new legislation that targets Disney’s monorail system and allows the state’s transportation department to conduct inspections of the system, which has historically been handled by the Disney-run special district that DeSantis has attempted to control and/or penalize by threatening to build a prison next to Disneyland.

Via CNBC:

Disney’s amended lawsuit also noted that Florida’s Republican-led legislature passed legislation last week targeting Walt Disney World’s monorail system.

“Governor DeSantis and his allies have no apparent intent to moderate their retaliatory campaign any time soon,” Disney wrote in its additions to the civil complaint it filed in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee last month.

While DeSantis has not pulled back on his Disney feud that has already lost him the support of several Florida Republicans and Fox News, the House of Mouse has remained equally resistant in trolling the governor. The “Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite” is still moving full steam ahead in a blatant refutal of DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. The event will happen on three nights, June 13 through 15, during Pride Month.

(Via CNBC)

Billboard held its inaugural Latin Women In Music event in Coral Gables, Florida — not far from Shakira’s reported new permanent residence after splitting from Gerard Piqué last year— on Saturday, May 6, and Shakira was honored with the first-ever Woman Of The Year award.

Maluma was on hand to present the honor to Shakira, but no assist was necessary for her acceptance speech, which appeared to hint indirectly at what Shakira has learned from her painful breakup from Piqué after roughly 11 years together. The two share two children.

Billboard transcribed the speech and translated it from Spanish to English. It can be read in full below:

“This has been a year of seismic change in my life where I’ve felt more than ever and very personally what it is to be a women. And what it means. It’s been a year where I’ve realized we women are stronger than we think, braver than we believed, more independent than we were taught to be. Because what woman hasn’t at some time in her life forgotten herself because she’s seeking the attention and love of someone else? It happened to me, more than once.

But there comes a time in the life of every woman where she no longer depends on someone else to love and accept herself just as she is. A time when the search for someone else is replaced by the search for oneself. A time when the desire to be perfect is replaced by the desire to be authentic, and where finding someone who is faithful is less important than being faithful to ourselves.

It’s true that when I felt most lost, music put me in the road back to myself. But the most important lessons I learned from other women, and for them I wrote what I wrote and I sang what I sang. Because only a woman can love until she’s ripped apart, can speak with the most brutal honesty, can sing with anger, dance in ecstasy and be brought to tears with emotion. Only a woman can do that.

And there is one special woman who has inspired me more than anyone else: my mother, Nidya Ripoll. Mami, despite the hardships you’ve faced this year, you’re still standing with limitless love and resilience. You, Mami, have been my woman of the year. So, this recognition is for you, and also for my friends who have supported me and who hold me up when my legs give out. And for all those single moms who defend and protect their children like lionesses. Claudia, I love you! You’re one of those.

I receive this honor with lots of love, but for me, more than celebrating the women of the year, we should celebrate the year of the woman. A year where us women have touched subjects that couldn’t be touched, and said things that couldn’t be said. And though some may have complained, there’s no going back. Together, we’ve taken a step forward, and with each step we’re more free and more fulfilled.

Thank you for this recognition, and I share it with those incredible women I call ‘sisters’ who have taught me so much because they understand their own vulnerability, but also their own strength.”

Shakira more directly took aim at her Spanish footballer ex in her January single with Bizarrap, “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” and she didn’t hold back whatsoever. Piqué responded in more ways than one, and it even caused Adele to claim Piqué “is in trouble!” More recently, Piqué has spoken out about Shakira’s fans harassing him online.

The next time Drake does an Afrobeats song, it’ll be hard for his haters to accuse him of being a culture vulture. After his dad, Dennis Graham, took an ancestry test that determined he’s got mostly Nigerian ancestry, Drake posted the results on Instagram, wondering, “Does this mean I’m a Naija man finally?”

The influence of West African music on Drake’s music has been noted in the past. On tracks like “One Dance” and “Passionfruit,” Drake employs sounds common to Nigerian Afrobeats, and in helping to popularize UK drill and grime stateside, he’s worked with a number of British Nigerian artists including Skepta and JME. We’ll see how this revelation affects the Canadian star’s music in the future, if at all, but it seems he’s excited to finally be a part of the “family.”

In the meantime, he’s continuing his tour with a rapper of East African heritage, adding more dates to his and 21 Savage’s It’s All A Blur Tour. As tickets for the tour reportedly reached as much as $1000, the two rappers ensured that the sky-high demand won’t keep any of their fans from getting to see them. With his new song “Search & Rescue” debuting at No. 2, it’s clear that Drake remains one of the most popular artists around.

A few weeks ago, Succession viewers learned that Shiv is pregnant, presumably with Tom’s child. This, of course, was only revealed a few days on the show’s timeline, but still, people are starting to raise their eyebrows on whether she will ever disclose that she is with child. Given that she’s already had an amniocentesis, she’s likely passed the 16 week mark, and the clock is ticking. So, one would presume that she doesn’t plan on having an abortion, but still, will she ever tell Tom the news?

Given their massive fight at the end of this week’s “Tailgate Party,” yeah, you gotta wonder if Tom’s barbs are hitting harder than they would if she wasn’t pregnant. She’s also been playing both sides with Matsson vs. her brothers, which isn’t working out all that well, given that Ebba revealed that he’s not even a real coder, and his numbers are sketchy.

As our own Brian Grubb pointed out in his weekly report card, Shiv is not doing well. She essentially has no job, and she’s pregnant and apparently still in the middle of a divorce, too. Add that to the fact that she had that blowout with Tom, who expressed relief at how they’d never had a child together, and wow, I’m actually feeling sorry for Shiv!

On Twitter, viewers are wondering if she’ll ever spill the news and/or how brutal it must have felt to hear Tom utter those words.

HBO’s Succession airs on Sundays at 9:00pm EST.

Recently, Meghan Trainor, Rachel Bilson, and Gwyneth Paltrow have shared some pretty candid details about their celebrity sex lives, and Meghan McCain is not loving it. In her latest column for the Daily Mail, the former The View co-host chastised Trainor, Bilson, and Paltrow for going crazy with the “pornified” levels of TMI.

“You’re on a podcast, not gossiping with the girls over a Chardonnay,” McCain wrote before proceeding to repeat each and every story from all three women. While McCain attempted to paint herself as a “sex-positive person,” that label fell apart the minute she started yearning for the more “provincial” days of her mom and grandmother where “sex lives weren’t openly flaunted.”

Via Daily Mail:

While on-air, I always felt my mother and late-Grandmother Roberta peering over my shoulder, ready to keel over with a heart attack if I ventured into issues of my sexuality. Honestly, I once thought the way I was raised was provincial and outdated. But today, as a mother of two girls, I am grateful for it. My daughters don’t deserve to be subjected to TMI details about their mom and dad. I’m happy that I’ve set an example of modesty.

Yes, strong women are confident in their sexuality. But that doesn’t mean that they should be pushed and prodded by society into wearing in on their sleeves. Self-control is the first step toward self-respect.

As McCain continued to lecture on the sins of open sexuality, she ultimately ended her column by thanking her mom, Cindy McCain, for teaching her to be a repressive schoolmarm who balks at hearing the words “doggy” in public.

“We’re now living in a time of extreme overexposure. It robs young people of their innocence, and it deprives them of the experience of exploring the mysteries of life on their own terms,” McCain wrote. “So, thank you, Cindy. This is about 20 years too late, but you were right all along.”

(Via Daily Mail)