The longtime duo of Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed split up earlier this year, as Sharpe announced his departure from Fox Sports. Sharpe apparently got a buyout from Fox, and his podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” is also no longer under the Fox umbrella. It’s been a little less than a month since Sharpe left the show, and apparently, there have been major problems in trying to find his replacement.

On Wednesday, both the show and Bayless tweeted that the show is going on hiatus until August 28. That is a pretty remarkable thing to just drop on a Wednesday, but according to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, there is more going on than Bayless simply getting into the lab.

Instead, the risky two-month layoff was driven by Bayless and FS1 management’s inability to find a replacement for Shannon Sharpe, said sources.
…
“Shannon’s exit moved way faster than they expected. So they had no choice but to go on hiatus,” said one source. “Skip has never done anything like this during all his years at FS1 or ESPN. Not being on the air during all these NBA moves is killing him.”

McCarthy put together a list of potential replacements for Sharpe, but noted that an issue that has popped up is Bayless, as Undisputed‘s star, has control over everything. As for Sharpe, it’s unclear what is on the horizon for him, but Stephen A. Smith has made very clear that he’d love to have him join his rotating cast of sparring partners on First Take.

Keke Palmer has been the subject of a minor controversy this week after a video of her flirtatious dance with Usher at his Las Vegas concert drew criticism from plenty of salty men — including Darius Jackson, the father of her four-month-old son. However, to let Ms. Palmer tell it, she doesn’t even see the chatter online according to the caption of her latest Instagram post, which subtly responded to the kefuffle over her viral moment.

“One thing is certain and one thing is true, IM A MOTHA, through and through!” she wrote in the caption of a video singing Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” to her son. “To all my mom’s out there, how did your baby change you?? Mine empowered me! On such another level, my perspective changed because when my baby is good I’m GREAT! Look at that face! Gratitude galore.”

Although she doesn’t overtly say it, this looks very much like a clear reference to Jackson’s comments on her video, in which he wrote, “It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom.” The outfit in question, a sheer unitard over a booty-baring black leotard, had many observers expressing their thirst, appreciation, or disapproval on Twitter (with a strong correlation, in this writer’s opinion, to the individual commenters’ level of “rizz,” as the kids say).

Keke took her response one step further, though, adding that she put some new merch up for sale: Shirts that read “I’m a motha!” and “Stevie to the bullsh*t” — referring to Stevie Wonder’s inability to see negative commentary.

We’ve all been there. Standing in line to be seated at a fairly busy restaurant while your stomach growls in protest. But when two women left a concert August 22 in search of food, they had no idea they’d find themselves taking orders and cooking food. Sylvia Arrendondo and her mother Idalia Merkel went to a local Denny’s in Texas and were seated by another customer before realizing the restaurant was extremely short-staffed. Instead of taking their business elsewhere, they decided to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Arrendondo wrote about the unique experience on her Facebook page where she explained that only two people were working. One was serving tables and the other was the cook. As for the man that was acting as host, seating new guests, he had no idea what he was doing because he didn’t work there. He told Arrendondo and Merkel that his wife used to work at Denny’s so she started helping to serve tables and he decided to help get people seated.

The service industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and the subsequent “great resignation.” Complaints about low wages, poor management and rude customers that abuse staff members are just a few of the reasons cited by people who have left the industry. It may be surprising for some to learn that the federal minimum wage for tipped employees like servers and bussers is just $2.13 an hour. The rest of the wage is supposed to be made up of tips, which, depending on where you work, may be split at the end of the night between other workers. This act of splitting tips is called “tip pooling” and is calculated by number of hours worked.

Splitting tips after a long day of work dealing with customers who may not have been so kind would understandably make some people upset. But it didn’t take a deep dive on the treatment of restaurant employees for Arrendondo and the other customers who helped out. They saw two seemingly college-aged kids doing their best to keep the place running and they didn’t hesitate to jump in to help, completely unpaid.

When asked why she didn’t just leave, Arrendondo said, “We just looked at each other and it wasn’t even a question. We both knew what we had to do.”

“This was probably the most beautiful act of American unity that I have personally encountered,” Arrendondo told Upworthy. She added that the sole paid server would occasionally start to cry before being comforted by the cook, only to return the favor when he would get overwhelmed.

Talk about community.

These two kids had exhausted all of their resources, including calling their manager multiple times. And instead of customers getting angry, demanding better service or walking away, Arredondo and Merkel stepped up. The kindness of this group of strangers will surely stick with these employees and the people who were involved.

“The strength, courage and integrity by these two workers was beyond admirable. My mom and I have never been so proud and happy to help,” Arrendondo told Upworthy. “After all, we have all been there.”

Eventually after some convincing, the two employees shut the restaurant down and Arrendondo and Merkel went home much more tired than anticipated. Still hungry, but full of gratitude and pride.

This article originally appeared on 08.26.22

Perhaps the funnest part—in addition to extended stays in exotic locations—residents will have a say in where the vessel goes. “What a typical cruise line might do in one month or three weeks, we will take three to four months to do,” Storylines founder and CEO Alister Punton told CNN Travel, adding that the residents “have opportunities to have input into where the ship goes next.” These “residents choice” days allow those on board to choose the ports of call.

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Is MV Narrative the only residential ship to sail the seven seas? No. The World has offered residential living since 2002, according to The Real Deal. Other lines, like Utopia and Victoria Cruises, also offer an all-inclusive lifestyle.

However, it could be the most eco-friendly. Travel and Leisure noted that the ship will run on clean-burning liquid gas and have a zero-waste farmers market selling local products. “We will definitely be the greenest cruise ship out there,” Punton shared with CNN Travel.

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Travel and Leisure states the MV Narrative’s current listing price range from $1 million to $8 million to own, with a small number of 24-year leases available from $600,000, which works out to around $25,000 per year.

Of course, if you were to forgo any homeownership and chose instead to live the life of a nomad, a lifelong cruise could be an even cheaper and more accessible option. Earlier this year, retired couple Angelyn and Richard Burk made headlines by fulfilling their travel dreams of hopping from ship to ship … all for around $36,000. Yep, less than an average mortgage. It’s no wonder why this is such a popular trend for adventurous folks of retirement age.

This might be because people are attracted to having both adventure and the comfort of home, which Storylines provides. “At the end of a long day discovering a new exotic location, they can come home to friends and familiar surroundings and sleep in their own bed,” Storylines co-founder, Shannon Lee, wrote in an email to Travel and Leisure.

What a time to be alive, when you can travel the world and never leave home.

This article originally appeared on 08.18.22

We can all get a little fascinated by doppelgängers and it’s fun to find people who look alike. But what do you do when your baby girl looks uncannily like a famous middle-aged man?

Mom Dani Grier Mulvenna shared a photo of her infant daughter Cora side by side with a photo of Woody Harrelson on Twitter, with the caption “Ok but how does our daughter look like Woody Harrelson.” The resemblance truly is remarkable, and the tweet quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of likes, shares and replies.

Naturally, the jokes about Harrelson being the baby’s secret father came next, but then Harrelson himself got wind of it.

The actor shared a screenshot of Mulvenna’s tweet on his Instagram page and included a delightful little poem he called “Ode to Cora.”

u201cOk but how does our daughter look like Woody Harreslonu201d

— Dani Grier Mulvenna (@Dani Grier Mulvenna)
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You’re an adorable child
Flattered to be compared
You have a wonderful smile
I just wish I had your hair

How adorable and wholesome is that? Not only did he acknowledge his look-alike, but he even made a self-deprecating joke about his receding hairline.

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People gushed in the comments and Mulvenna shared how tickled her daughter will be someday by the connection.

“You’ve made our day ❤️ can’t wait to show her this when she’s older, you have another fan for life xxx,” she wrote.

Mulvenna also shared on Twitter that her daughter doesn’t always look like Woody Harrelson, but when she does, she really does.

u201cCora says, thank you all so much for the likes and retweets and also that she doesn’t always look like Woody Harreslon, it’s just that when she does…she really really does xxxu201d

— Dani Grier Mulvenna (@Dani Grier Mulvenna)
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What a cutie. What’s hilarious is that sweet little Cora has no clue about any of this excitement and she won’t for many more years. What a fun story her parents will be able to share with her.

Social media has created a world where people can connect in ways they never would have before. When these platforms are so often used for negative means, it’s lovely to see something so sweet and pure come out of them.

This article originally appeared on 08.05.22

Meghan Smith is the owner of Melody Note Vintage store in the eternally hip town of Palm Springs, California, and her old-school Gen X advice has really connected with younger people on TikTok.

In a video posted in December 2022, she shares the advice she wishes that “somebody told me in my twenties” and it has received more than 13 million views. Smith says that she gave the same advice to her partner’s two daughters when they reached their twenties.

The video is hashtagged #GenX advice for #GenZ and late #millennials. Sorry older millennials, you’re too old to receive these pearls of wisdom.

Here is some of the timeless advice that Smith shares in the video.

Perfection is bullshit.

You will never be more good-looking than you are today.

Put your phone down and enjoy your life.

Don’t change for anybody.

Don’t worry about making mistakes.

Laugh at yourself.

If somebody shows you their true colors, believe them.

Travel.

You end up dating the people you think you deserve. Usually, you deserve better.

Don’t forget to always wear your sunscreen.

@melodynotevintage

This might only help one person and thats ok. Advice I wish somebody told me in my twenties. #genx advice for #genz and late #millennials #adviceforyour20s #lifeadvice #fyp dont be an asshat in the comments if you are older, its not helpful.

She followed up the video with a sequel with even more sage advice.

Know who’s on your side and who you can ask for help.

Don’t smoke.

Don’t spend longer than one year with the wrong person.

Find your own style.

Don’t stress over the small stuff.

Good manners don’t go out of style.

Do the work that it takes to be really good at something.

Your happiness is more important than other people’s disappointment.

@melodynotevintage

This might only help one person and thats ok. Advice I wish somebody told me in my twenties part 2 #genx advice for #genz and late #millennials #adviceforyour20s #lifeadvice #fyp

This article originally appeared on 1.18.23

Not everyone enjoys flying. The level of non-enjoyment can range from mild discomfort to full blown Aerophobia, which is defined as an extreme fear of flying. While flying is the quickest way to get to far away destinations, for some people being that far off the ground is terrifying and they’d rather take their chances on the ground.

A passenger flying from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina to JFK International Airport in New York confronted that fear while flying with Delta. The woman, who is currently still unidentified expressed that she was nervous to fly according to Molly Simonson Lee, a passenger seated behind the woman who witnessed the encounter. Tight spaces don’t make for much privacy, but in this case, the world is better for knowing this took place.

According to Lee, who posted about the exchange on Facebook, the Delta flight attendant, Floyd Dean-Shannon, took his time to give the nervous traveler his undivided attention. Lee told Upworthy the unidentified passenger, “was very nervous and even before the plane took off, she was visibly shaken by each sound.”

Approximately 25 million people in the United States have Aerophobia according to the Clevland Clinic and most of them probably wish Dean-Shannon was on their flights. “He took notice and began explaining what each [sound] was, with the warmest, calmest tone,” Lee said. That wasn’t even the most amazingly sweet part of the story.

While the explanation of noises helped, Lee said about halfway through the flight the passenger was fighting back tears, which prompted Dean-Shannon to sit on the floor and hold the frightened passenger’s hand. He comforted her for the rest of the flight while sitting on the floor. “His tone was so kind and soothing,” according to Lee.

Dean-Shannon’s kindness didn’t stop there. Lee explained, “the woman next to me was celebrating a birthday and he sang to her and made her a ‘cake’ with all of the goodies he could round up.”

I’m not sure what Delta pays him but he needs a raise immediately and it seems the people of the interwebs agree.

Commenter, Miranda Anderson, tagged Delta Airlines and wrote, “I hope you see this! These are the types of people that deserve raises and make your company worth flying with. This is what pits [sic] you above the others so show these employees this is what you want and what you need.”

“I love this. This is what society is lacking. Empathy and kindness towards people in time[s] of need” wrote Diane Lawrence.

While Mary Beth Acker Ford, said, “I was on a flight with him today. He exudes joy and is intentional about making a connection with each person!”

This level of engagement with passengers is not a common experience but clearly people are happy to see this type of connection between humans. Flying anywhere can be stressful for any amount of reasons. From leaving the house late and having to participate in an involuntary 5k to catch your flight, to making your way through the devil’s backyard, also known as Atlanta International Airport…just for them to change your gate 10 minutes before boarding.

So having a flight attendant like Dean-Shannon is just the breath of fresh air people need. “The way he’s looking at her…letting her know she’s safe!!! This is just one of the many reasons I will always fly Delta Air Lines,” Liz Martin wrote in the comments.

“It was obvious he is just a good, kind soul who shares that generously with everyone he encounters. Such kindness is rare and a true gift when encountered,” Lee remarked. That level of kindness is rare indeed and we sure are happy someone thought to capture it.

This article originally appeared on 01.19.23

Animals have their own personalities no matter what kind of animal they are, but rescue animals can sometimes take a while to let their personality shine. When they do, their humans better be prepared for whatever might come.

A rescue cockatoo named Molly was very subdued and a bit skittish when she was first brought into her human family. But her entire attitude changed once she met her new human brother, and now visitors might be in for a slightly terrifying surprise.

Molly has a habit of chasing her humans around the house laughing like an evil supervillain as they playfully run from room to room. She may not be in cahoots with fellow feathered friends to try to take over the world…yet…but her laugh is hilariously maniacal.

The family is all on board for Molly’s games, too. They not only play hide and seek with the bird but they quite literally take her everywhere they possibly can.

Molly rides in the car for coffee runs and even goes hiking through the woods with her humans. There seems to be few things the family doesn’t do without their laughing bird. While Molly doesn’t startle strangers with her sinister laugh, she does randomly scream loudly when she’s in public, which is probably more startling.

But it’s the time she spends with her favorite brother that warms hearts.

“Molly wasn’t always such a fun, vibrant bird. When we got her she didn’t trust us,” Betty tells The Dodo. “But she was really in love with my older son from the minute she met him. He could pick her up, comfort her, she was not afraid of him at all.”

The cockatoo even hunts for her brother when she knows he’s in the house, going from room to room knocking on doors with her beak, saying, “Hello,” and waiting for an answer. It’s such an adorable bond they share and the maniacal laughter is something you have to hear for yourself.

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Cardi B, Chika, Lil Baby, and more.

New releases this week came from Gunna (“F*kumean“), Flo Milli (“Flo The Whistle“), and more, but the pickings were slim after a busy week prior. The highlights included Cardi B, who teamed up with FendiDa Rappa for yet another of her signature remixes, “Point Me 2” (and stole the show as usual), Chika, who finally announced the impending release of her debut album with “Demigod,” and Lil Baby, who commemorated Fanatic’s Merch Madness with a song of the same name.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending July 7, 2023.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Conway The Machine , Drumwork Music Group — Drumwork: The Album

Conway The Machine’s label — which consists of 7xvethegenius, Goosebytheway, Jae Skeese, Shots Almigh, and SK Da King — unites for its first-ever group compilation album. There are guest appearances from Conway’s Griselda compatriot Benny The Butcher and fellow New York natives 38 Spesh and Rome Streetz. You already know what to expect. It’s gritty, it’s grimy … it’s gangsta.

Supastition, Praise, Speaker Bullies — Art Of Disrespect

Supastition is a personal favorite. A rapper’s-rapper from North Carolina who tells it like it is, Sup teams up here with Praise and Speaker Bullies for a sample-heavy, drum-driven, bars-over-everything trad-rap album full of slick wordplay and old-school humor. It’s definitely grumpy old man hip-hop, but if you don’t like it, you can get off my lawn.

Singles/Videos

King Von — “Heartless” Feat. Tee Grizzley

The complete depths of Von’s vault have yet to be plumbed, but provided the quality remains as consistent as it has been, I reluctantly say “Plunder away.” Pairing the Chicago standout with one of his Midwestern street rap brethren is the sort of savvy decision that keeps Von’s posthumous releases from getting stale.

Mick Jenkins — “Smoke Break-Dance” Feat. JID

An Uproxx fave once again pokes his head out to prepare listeners for yet another heady, lyrically-focused release, presumably coming in the very near future. Meanwhile, JID makes for the perfect counterpoint to this wordy release as another rapper in a similar vein who can actually keep up with him from a delivery standpoint.

Valee & Harry Fraud — “Vibrant” Feat. Action Bronson

Okay, I know I’ve been critical of Valee’s prior output but it appears he’s found the perfect ingredient to cut my salty responses: La musica de Harry Fraud. With a tinkling, soulful beat, Valee’s … unconventional flow suddenly sounds as magical as I’ve been told it is. I’m sure those folks who told me this will now reverse course, because that’s how these things usually go, but for now, I get it and I’m all in.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Pixar‘s latest took the old trope about opposites attracting to the extreme, placing a goofy boy made of water and a hotheaded girl made of fire together to see if sparks would fly. The film features a rom-com plot that doesn’t try too hard to reinvent the wheel, placed lovingly in a gorgeously detailed world where cherry trees and storm clouds ride the bus with floating globs of water. Directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur), the movie stars the voice talents of Leah Lewis Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie Del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendy McLendon-Covey, and Catherine O’Hara.

Elemental hit theaters in the United States and Canada on June 16th, trickling into theaters globally all the way through July 7th. If you couldn’t make it to the theater (parents, we see you), you’re probably wondering when it will land on Disney+ to stream.

As Disney has focused more attention on theatrical releases, it’s taken longer for their movies to make the leap from the big screen to your home screen. Thus, since there’s no official release date for Elemental yet, it’s a safe bet that it will arrive somewhere between early August and late September — following either the 45 day or 90 day model set for other films with some wiggle room for the international audiences only just now seeing it in cinemas. Although Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania took the full 90 days to stream, other animated films like Lightyear only took 45.

At any rate, you can plan to catch Elemental on Disney+ as the heat of the summer melts into fall.