Month: February 2024

Dealing with a mental illness is hard. Loving someone who is dealing with a mental illness is also hard. When you’re the person struggling, you need support from your loved ones, but you may not be able to verbalize what you need exactly, especially in the moment. And when you’re a loved one who wants to provide that support, you can feel lost and helpless trying to figure out what actually helps.

This is the dilemma TikTok creator Sharon Johnson (@Sharon.a.life) highlights in a viral video explaining how she and her husband passed that impasse.

Johnson starts by acting out a conversation she and her husband often have she’s in a depressive episode. She says she’s sad and doesn’t know why. Her husband asks what she needs, and she says he could be more supportive. He asks how he can be more supportive. In her head, she thinks, “I have about a thousand ways that I think you could be more supportive, but they’re all tiny and little and insignificant, and it feels weird to have the conversation and tell you a thousand things that you could do, so instead I’m just gonna continue being sad and we’ll both be frustrated.”

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“You’re not saying anything,” says her husband. “Please tell me what to do, because I don’t know what depression is like and I don’t know what to do.”

End scene. Sound familiar?

Johnson then shares that she came up with a solution that solves this dilemma, helping her husband understand what support she needs when she’s struggling. It’s so simple, but not something most people would necessarily think to do.

Watch:

@sharon.a.life

Now the list is there for us to add to, revise, and to refer to! He feels more supported and capable in being supportive and actually helping and I feel more supported and, less depressed! #depression #mentalhealth #bipolar #bipolar2 #depressiontips #supportperson

Being unable to verbalize needs when you’re in a depressed state is totally normal, so it’s helpful to think about communicating those needs proactively, ahead of time, when you’re feeling healthy.

What’s brilliant about the written list strategy is that, as Johnson points out, body language and facial expressions can sometimes be misinterpreted, especially when navigating mental and emotional realities. Even longtime married couples can misread worry for annoyance or interpret a thoughtful pause as reticence or judgment, so sometimes writing things down—even clarifying questions like her husband did—is more effective.

In the age of email and texting, written communication has perhaps been overly dismissed as impersonal or as a way to avoid difficult face-to-face conversations. Certainly, it can be, but in some cases, writing things out can be preferable to verbal communication. This is one of those times.

Having those ways to be supportive written down also provides a tangible resource her husband can access any time he needs to, and that resource can also be updated in real time as needed.

People in the comments loved the idea.

“Extremely relatable as I just had a 10 min back & forth of ‘what do you need’ ‘idk’ w my partner before he was just like ok I’m making you an egg,” shared one person.

“The fact that he typed out the replies shows how much he understands the way your brain works!!! 🧡🧡🧡” shared another.

“It’s like the equivalent of “this could’ve been an email” in the workplace when they schedule a meeting. It makes a lot of sense, really!” offered another.

Many people asked if they could see her list as inspiration or jumping off points for their own, so she offered to email it to people who wanted it. (You can access that link here.)

Find more from @Sharon.a.life on TikTok.

Shannyn Weiler, a Utah-based interior designer, has caused a debate on TikTok after she urged people to use caution when displaying family photos in the home. The discussion started a debate over whether a home should be decorated for visitors or the family itself and if having a “shrine” dedicated to family members is tasteful.

The video began with a stitch from a designer passionately saying that one should “never’ display “personal photos” in the living room.

“So family photos can become a problem when they become what I refer to as the shrine,” Weiler begins the video. She shared an example from her life, to make the case why family photos should be hung judiciously.

“I got married when I was 21,” she shares. “We were both in school, absolutely broke, we had $50 to buy a couch, so imagine what type of couch that was. We went to go decorate our first apartment and lo and behold, there’s no money for decoration. So we do what most newlyweds do, we use our wedding photos, because we’re so cute and we’re so in love and we just love our wedding day. Everywhere in our apartment was wedding photos… it felt like what I call ‘the shrine.’”

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“It’s very real. This also happens if you have one baby, and you might have baby photos taken and it’s the shrine to the one kid,” she continues. “This also happens if you have one grandkid.”

@shannynweiler

Interior design art tips Art decor interior design Interior design 2024 art prints Interior design art trends 2024 interior design trends #hometips #homedecor #wallart #decortips #walldecor #interiordesign

Weiler believes that people should hang artwork or photography about more than one subject.

“They can’t just be on every wall with one subject,” she says. “We need to mix it up. There needs to be a mirror in the space. We need some Etsy art prints or something like that. We just need to mix it together to get rid of that shrine feel.”

The post bothered many who love having pictures of their family around the house. The vast majority of commenters were people who love having family photos strewn about their homes

“The house is for us not company,” Sarah Murdock, the most popular commenter, wrote. “I’d rather have pics of my kids and our life up than prints of random flowers and art,” Ty Harman added.

“I grew up in an interior design magazine and HATED that my mom never displayed any photos of my family. Felt like she cared more about material things,” Alexandra DiGiovanni wrote.

Others noted that people decorate their homes for themselves, not for guests.

“OR we do what we want with the homes WE live in, not guests,” Ergot wrote. “I like myself, I don’t have a problem seeing myself everywhere. After all, I paid the bills,” Gege Chic added.

Some people agreed with the interior decorator and said that having too many family photos in a house looks tacky.

“YES. Photographs of ourselves in my own house feel so weird to me. Narcissistic kind of Jamiecakes wrote. “I don’t have a single photo of a person in my house. I think they look tacky,” C wrote. “One friend’s house comes to mind for me, it was tacky (for me) to see nothing but wedding pics. Like, do you have other interests? Just my opinion but also, they’re divorced now. Mixing in art helps,” _sigred added.

Even though the post received a pretty sizable backlash, Weiler’s opinion is widely accepted in design circles. “To us, having too many portraits of yourself on display in your home is kind of like having a tattoo of yourself on your own body. It can come off as vain and tacky,” Sarah Han writes at Apartment Therapy.

After her thoughts on family photos went viral, Weiler posted a follow-up video where she shared an example of a student changing their mind about home decor.

“Sometimes in design, we hear the design ideas and go, ‘Mmm nope, that’s not for me.’ Sometimes, we try those ideas and we still say, ‘Nope, that’s not for me.’ But occasionally we try things and we go, ‘Okay, I do kind of like that,’” Weiler concluded her video.

@shannynweiler

reply to @Shannyn #homedecor #interiordesign #hometips #interiordesigntrends2024 #wall art

Rising costs in housing, groceries and financial services have Americans feeling the pinch. A recent study published by CNBC found that 62% of adults said they are living paycheck-to-paycheck, meaning their income covers their expenses without anything left over.

This financial stress isn’t just affecting lower-income people. Even those in higher income brackets are feeling the pinch, with over half of Americans earning over $100,000 having little to no money left after expenses.

When people are caught in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, they feel like they can never escape and get ahead. So Forum Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Andy Mattingly stopped by WTTV to share his 6 big tips to help people break out of the cycle and start saving.

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1. Make an honest budget

The first thing you need to do is write out an honest monthly budget. Keeping track of every dollar you spend can be a real eye-opener and inspire positive changes in your spending habits.

Tips to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle

2. Stretch your dollars

This might mean looking for discounts and coupons and comparing prices, even on smaller purchases.

“We comparison shop, big purchases, cars and things like that,” Mattingly noted. “But we don’t think about everyday things that we buy, like going to the grocery store, things like that that you should look and make sure you’re buying them from the best place.”

3. Separate needs from wants

You may have to eliminate some luxuries from your monthly budget to break out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Subscription services are an easy way to deplete your bank account every month. Studies show the average American spends around $219 a month on various subscriptions.

“How many streaming services do you have,” Mattingly asked. “What type of Internet service do you have? What kind of phone plans do you have?”

4. Make a meal plan every week

Making a weekly meal plan can help streamline your grocery list to include just what you need. This way, you’re not only avoiding the trap of buying too much but also saving money by not wasting unused food. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference.

“The studies are if you do this you can save yourself about $75 a week on what you were throwing out that you don’t realize you are,” Mattingly said.

5. Look at loans

The next thing to look into is your overall loan situation and that means not just focusing on credit cards. Can you consolidate or refinance any loans to bring down your monthly payments? It’s a great way to potentially ease your financial load.

“What we’re really talking about here is how can we put more cash in our monthly budget to get out of that paycheck-to-paycheck so we can start saving for some of these things,” Mattingly said.

6. Look at insurance coverage

It might be time to shop around for better insurance deals.

“If you’ve not shopped your auto insurance, your renters’ insurance, or your homeowners’ insurance, you’ve probably just seen it go up and you just think that’s what happens,” Mattingly said. “But you need to shop it every year.”

The overall idea of Mattingly’s advice is to take a holistic approach to your finances, whether that means changing your spending habits or looking at the deals you made a while back to ensure they’re still in your best interests. It may take a little time and effort getting to get things on track, bit it’s well worth it to break out of a cycle of financial stress.

Hey there, millennials! Welcome to the “Holy crapoly, I have real-life memories from 20 years ago!” club. It’s a strangely disorienting milestone to reach when you find yourself starting sentences with “When I was young…” or “Back in my day…” isn’t it?

Your Gen X elders have been here for a while, but even we have moments of incredulously calculating how the heck we’ve arrived at this place. Time is a tricky little jokester, isn’t he?

To highlight how much has changed for middle-aged folks since we were young, a user on Reddit asked people born before 1990 what useless skills they possess that nobody has a need for anymore. It’s both a hilarious trip down memory lane and a time capsule of life pre-Y2K. (Do kids these days even know what Y2K was? Gracious.)

If you’re down for some good-old-days nostalgia, check out people’s responses:

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Ask Reddit Question: People born before 1990, what trivial skill do you possess that no one uses anymore?

Making brown paper bag book covers

“I can cover a textbook with a brown paper bag.” — sourwaterbug

Oh goodness yes. And there was always that one girl in class who had the art of the brown paper bag book cover perfected. (They’re probably Pinterest influencers now.)

Folding a map—and knowing where to find a map

“I can re-fold a map correctly.” —JungleZac

“Man remember actually using maps…I had an atlas with the road system in my car to navigate other states during road trips. Crazy.” – jagua_haku

How did we ever figure out how to get anywhere before GPS and Google Maps? (Two-inch thick road atlases in our car and stopping at gas stations to buy local maps while traveling, that’s how. Positively primitive.)

Memorizing phone numbers and answering the house phone

For real, though, kids these days don’t even know.

“Remembering phone numbers.” — greatmilliondog

“Not only that, having to speak to your friend’s parents for a few minutes when you call their house.” — Logical_Area_5552

“How to take a message when the person they want to talk to isn’t there.” — Amoori_A_Splooge

How about dialing on a rotary phone, using a pay phone and making (or taking) a collect call?

The skillful phone shoulder hold

“Using your shoulder to hold a telephone up to your ear while doing multiple other things at once. Now, the phones are so damned small I drop them.” – Regular_Sample_5197

“100 ft phone cords 🤣” – mrch1ck3nn

“I got in sooooo much trouble for stretching the phone cord into the bathroom for some privacy. Accidentally clotheslined Grandma 😬 She laughed about it but Mom was pissed!” – AffectionateBite3827

Knowing the exact name of every Crayola color because we only had so many

“I know what the color “goldenrod” is.” — ImAmazedBaybee

“That and burnt sienna were the crayolas of choice.” — Signiference

“Cornflower would like a word.” — cps12345

The art of the mixed tape—especially from the radio

I don’t think kids these days fully grasp how revolutionary Spotify and the like are for those of us who spent hours in front of the radio with our cassette tape recorder queued up at just the right spot waiting for the song we wanted to record to come one. And they will never, ever know the frustration of the DJ yapping right up until the lyrics start.

“Record to tape from the radio. Trying to make sure to not get the DJ/presenter talking sh-t or an ad” – Gankstajam

“‘Shut up, shut up, shut up!!! I’m trying to record my song!!!'” – tearsonurcheek

“Haha yeah and trying to tell others so they don’t make random noise or knock on the door.

How about making cassette-based mix tapes, trying to figure out to the second, how many and which types of songs in which order, that would still fit perfectly on the length of tape per side.

People who make digital recordings do not have to worry about ‘running out of tape.’

Having the first side be tempting enough that they’d flip the other side to continue listening. That’s before continual playback machines existed. Had to flip the cassette.” – CrunchyTeaTime

And there were many more, from rewinding a cassette tape with a pencil to writing in cursive to tearing the sides off of printer paper without tearing the paper itself. (Oh and of course the ability to count out change and understand what you’re supposed to do if something costs $9.91 and someone hands you $10.01.)

Gotta love it when the things that used to be totally normal now sound like historic artifacts found in a museum. Kind of makes you wonder what normal things from today we’ll be laughing about in another 20 or 30 years.

This article originally appeared on 6.22.23

Southern food is beloved by many, and those of us raised on it just consider it dinner, not a special cuisine. But since Southern food is pretty geographical, there are plenty of Americans who haven’t had the opportunity to try authentic Southern food. There are a few soul food restaurants that get it right sprinkled across the country, but all are not created equal.

Since Southern cooking isn’t available throughout all of America, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s not a staple across the pond. Josh Carrott, author of “Once Upon A Time in Carrottland,” runs the YouTube channel Jolly, where he has people try new foods. He decided to invite a group of British schoolboys to try a few Southern staples. The boys are in year 9 in England, which means they’re between the ages of 13 and 14.

Since Carrott isn’t Southern, or even American for that matter, I can’t say how the food was prepared. What I can say is that my very Southern grandmother would give the sausage gravy preparation the side eye, but other than that, it looked as authentic as possible.

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The boys were served biscuits that were perfectly golden, and there was immediate confusion. Apparently biscuits are flat and hard in England, so the boys were sure they were being served scones. It only took one bite for them to come around to the idea of the buttery fluffy delight that is the Southern biscuit. But the taste test for the biscuits wasn’t over—Carrott mixed up some white sausage gravy and smothered the delicious bread.

None of the boys were eager to try a meal that many Southern households eat regularly.

“Let’s call it interesting for now. I’m not going to make a judgment,” one boy says.

“It looks like a chopped-up ferret,” another lamented.

To be fair, if you’ve never seen biscuits and gravy, it doesn’t look instantly appealing, but once you try it, the dish suddenly looks amazing every time you encounter it moving forward. Maybe it isn’t everyone’s favorite thing, but being able to drive through a Whataburger and grab it to go brings me childlike joy.

After trying everything offered, all of the boys agreed that the Southern food was delicious, including the sweet tea. Several of them said they preferred it over their British hot tea—no one tell their parents. It feels like it would be as shocking as finding a Southerner who prefers unsweet tea. You can watch the entire video below.

This article originally appeared on 6.22.23

In a world where relaxation often feels like a luxury, THC seltzers are emerging as a refreshing solution. With the buzz around cannabis products reaching new heights, these fizzy beverages are making waves for their unique ability to blend relaxation with enjoyment. Among the pioneers in this burgeoning market is
Cycling Frog, a brand that’s not just hopping onto the trend but leaping ahead with its innovative offerings.

By infusing the calming properties of THC into delicious seltzers, Cycling Frog is offering modern drinkers a whole new way to unwind. This article will explore five surprising ways these THC seltzers enhance relaxation, demonstrating how Cycling Frog stands out in this effervescent field.

Enhanced Relaxation

THC, the natural compound found in cannabis, is no stranger to its reputation for promoting relaxation and easing stress. But what happens when this age-old relaxant meets modern innovation? Enter Cycling Frog’s THC seltzers, a delightful twist on traditional methods.

These seltzers encapsulate the essence of relaxation in a can, offering a convenient and contemporary approach to unwinding. Whether you’re looking to de-stress after a long day or seeking a gentle chill during a weekend hangout, these seltzers are the perfect companions, providing a subtle, soothing experience that fits seamlessly into our fast-paced lives.

Unique Flavors

Cycling Frog’s THC seltzers aren’t just about relaxation; they’re a carnival of flavors waiting to tantalize your taste buds. Imagine sipping on the tartly sweet
Ruby Grapefruit, a perfect blend of citrus zing that invigorates as it relaxes. Or dive into the bold, award-winning Wild Cherry, a flavor that’s as playful as it is soothing. And for those seeking a tropical escape, the Guava Passionfruit is like a mini-vacation in every can, offering a serene taste of paradise. Each flavor is a unique adventure, ensuring every sip is a moment of relaxation and an exploration of delightful tastes.

Quality and Sustainability

A deep-rooted commitment to quality and sustainability is at the heart of Cycling Frog’s ethos. They’re not just creating THC seltzers; they’re cultivating a better future. By embracing sustainable farming practices and performing rigorous testing for quality control, Cycling Frog ensures that the hemp in their seltzers is grown with care and respect for the environment. This hemp is 100% pesticide-free, guaranteeing a pure, unadulterated experience in every can. That’s why all our packaging contains a QR code that directs consumers directly to ourtesting results.This dedication to quality doesn’t just impact the environment positively; it elevates the sipping experience, ensuring that each fizzy drink is enjoyable and responsibly crafted. With Cycling Frog, you’re not just tasting a seltzer; you’re savoring a commitment to a healthier planet and a superior product.

Health and Wellness

In today’s fast-paced world, finding a moment of tranquility can be a treasure. That’s where THC seltzers, like those from Cycling Frog, step in. Not only do they offer a delightful taste experience, but they also bring health and wellness benefits. THC is known for its potential to ease stress and anxiety, making these seltzers more than just a refreshing drink. They’re a gentle nod to self-care, a way to help quiet the mind and soothe the soul in natural, enjoyable sips. It’s relaxation, reimagined for our busy lives – a small, fizzy step towards better mental well-being.

Delivered To Your Door

Getting your hands on a Cycling Frog THC seltzer is as easy as a few clicks. Their user-friendly online store brings relaxation right to your doorstep. Just browse, select your favorite flavors, and voilà – a box of serene, bubbly bliss is on its way to you. This convenience means no more store runs, just pure relaxation delivered. Whether at home or planning a get-together, these seltzers are just a few taps away, ensuring that unwinding with Cycling Frog is always within easy reach.

Visit Cycling Frog to learn more and experience THC Seltzers for yourself.

Super Bowl LVIII arrives on Sunday, Feb. 11, with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers squaring off with the Lombardi Trophy in the balance. It is the first Super Bowl ever held in Las Vegas, with Allegiant Stadium serving as the host site for the biggest spectacle in American sports.

In advance of kick-off — which is set for approximately 6:30 p.m. ET but, let’s face it, it never starts exactly when they say — many will weigh in on various angles, from widespread sports betting interest, personal storylines, individual stardom, and simply the team most likely to win the championship. In this space, we’ll take a “by the numbers” look, running the gamut on statistical factoids to monitor.

Here we go, from largest to smallest:

2,000: 49ers star Christian McCaffrey is one of four players to make the Super Bowl in the same season in which they accumulated at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

1,254: Patrick Mahomes has 1,254 passing yards in four career games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He can become the only active quarterback with a 5-0 or better record at any NFL stadium with a win.

1,020: George Kittle led all NFL tight ends with 1,020 receiving yards this season.

816: Chiefs rookie WR Rashee Rice has more yards after catch (816) than any player in the NFL this season, including playoffs.

652: Brock Purdy can win the Super Bowl in Las Vegas 652 days after he was drafted as “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022 NFL Draft, which was held in Las Vegas.

600: Travis Kelce has 600 receptions since 2018. That is 173 more than San Francisco’s George Kittle (417) for the NFL lead over that span.

382: The Chiefs have not allowed more than 382 total yards in any game this season.

296.1: Patrick Mahomes holds the NFL record by averaging 296.1 passing yards per game in his career.

258: Patrick Mahomes has 258 passing touchdowns over the last six seasons, most by any NFL quarterback in a six-year span.

159: The 49ers have allowed 159 rushing yards per game in the playoffs, most by a team that made the Super Bowl since 1966.

156: Travis Kelce holds the all-time NFL record with 156 playoff receptions.

132: 49ers linebacker Fred Warner had 132 tackles this season, and he was the first NFL player since 2000 with that many tackles to go along with at least four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

115.3: Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL with 115.3 yards from scrimmage per game since arriving in the NFL in 2017.

84.5: The Over/Under betting line for the national anthem, sung by Reba McEntire, is 84.5 seconds.

81.3: 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk leads the NFL with 81.3 percent of his receptions going for first downs this season.

81: The Chiefs held the Ravens to 81 rushing yards in the AFC Championship Game. Baltimore entered the game with the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense.

71.2: Travis Kelce holds the NFL record for tight ends with 71.2 receiving yards per game in his career.

67.2: The 49ers led the NFL by scoring a touchdown on 67.2 percent of red zone trips this season.

55: The 49ers scored 55 points to beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV, the most points scored in Super Bowl history.

46: The most combined points by two teams in a single half in Super Bowl history is 46, set by the Raiders and Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.

39: Patrick Mahomes has 39 passing touchdowns in 17 career playoff games.

37: The 49ers have not won a Super Bowl since the 1994 season, and 37 players on San Francisco’s current roster were not born.

35: Chiefs DT Chris Jones has 35 sacks over the last three seasons, most by any defensive tackle in the NFL.

30: The coin toss has been tails in 30 of 57 Super Bowls. Does this mean anything at all? Absolutely not.

29: The Chiefs generated 29 more sacks (57) than they gave up (28) during the regular season.

28: If the 49ers win, it will be 28 seasons between Super Bowls for the franchise, the third-largest gap in history.

27: San Francisco scored 27 points in the second half of the NFC Championship Game to complete a memorable comeback over the Detroit Lions.

25: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has the second-most (25) playoff wins ever, behind only Bill Belichick. This is also his 25th season as a head coach.

24: Patrick Mahomes holds the record for youngest quarterback (24 years old) to win Super Bowl MVP.

22: San Francisco’s defense generated a league-best 22 interceptions during the regular season.

21: The Chiefs scored 21 points in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV to erase a 20-10 deficit and defeat the 49ers.

20: It has been 20 years since any team won back-to-back Super Bowls. The Chiefs can accomplish that feat for the first time since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.

17.3: Kansas City allowed only 17.3 points per game this season, fewest by the Chiefs since 1997.

17: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have the all-time record with 17 touchdowns by a QB-receiver duo in playoff history.

15: The Chiefs and 49ers have met 15 times, including playoffs. The Chiefs have the 8-7 edge, including five wins in the last six meetings and the head-to-head win in Super Bowl LIV.

14: Patrick Mahomes has won 14 playoff games over a six-year span, the most in history. That is also the NFC record for playoff wins before the age of 30, which he holds.

12: 12 of the last 17 Super Bowl MVP winners have been quarterbacks on the winning team. It’s the rule at this point, even if there are exceptions.

11: 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams has 11 Pro Bowl selections, tied for the most by any tackle in history.

10: Nick Bosa holds the 49ers playoff career record with 10 sacks. He also leads the NFL in quarterback hits (115) over the last three seasons.

9.6: Brock Purdy set a NFL record in averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt during the regular season. He broke the record of Matt Ryan (9.3) in 2016, on an offense also designed by Kyle Shanahan.

9.4: Deebo Samuel holds the NFL lead for most yards after catch per reception (9.4) since he entered the NFL in 2019.

9: Travis Kelce is aiming for his ninth 100-yard receiving game in the postseason, which would break a tie with Jerry Rice for most all-time.

8: This the eighth rematch in Super Bowl history. The winner of the first matchup is 5-2 all-time in the rematch.

7: Seven running backs have won the Super Bowl MVP award, but it hasn’t happened since Terrell Davis in the late 1990’s. That’s a long time.

6.6: The 49ers led the NFL in averaging 6.6 yards per play on offense this season.

6: Isiah Pacheco has at least 75 yards from scrimmage in all six of this career playoff games.

5: The 49ers have five Super Bowl titles, tied for third-most in history. They can tie the league record of six with a win.

4.7: Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed led the NFL in yards allowed per pass attempt (4.7) this season.

4: The Chiefs have reached four Super Bowls in a five-year span, becoming only the third team to do so.

3: Patrick Mahomes holds the NFL playoff record with three game-tying/go-ahead drives beginning in the final minute of regulation.

2: Patrick Mahomes has two Super Bowl MVP awards. He can tie Joe Montana for second all-time (behind Tom Brady) if he wins another on Sunday.

1: Four of the past eight Super Bowl winners have been No. 1 seeds. The 49ers can make it five out of nine.

If she can make it to Las Vegas, Nevada, from her sold-out Eras Tour show in Japan on time, and if the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, and if her boyfriend Travis Kelce is named the game’s MVP, then will Taylor Swift celebrate with him at Disneyland?

That’s a lot of “ifs,” but… sure, it’s certainly possible.

Since 1987, when Super Bowl-winning New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms first uttered “I’m going to Disney World” in a Disney commercial (and was paid handsomely to do so), the winning team’s MVP frequently celebrates the victory at California’s Disneyland or The Happiest Place On Earth in Florida. This year, it’ll be Disneyland hosting the winner.

I was at Disneyland last year after the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, and it was cool seeing Patrick Mahomes waving to a sea of red jerseys on a parade float with Mickey and Minnie. He also filmed a “going to Disneyland” commercial, as is tradition.

According to CBS Sports, “The only season since 1987 in which there was no commercial for Disneyland or Disney World was in 2005. No commercial ran after the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, and the exact reason for that remains unknown.” The speculation is that this was the first Super Bowl since “Nipplegate” and Disney didn’t want to be associated with such won’t-somebody-please-think-of-the-children filth.

Barring any nipple-baring controversies, what are the odds that Taylor Swift might join Travis Kelce at Disneyland?

Honestly, probably not great. Kelce is one of the best all-time at his position, but no tight end has ever won Super Bowl MVP (Mahomes is the odds-on favorite). Plus, Swift has a concert in Australia the following Friday to prepare for. And can you imagine the security nightmare of arguably the world’s most famous person stepping into the parks? Anything is possible (and she is part of the Disney family), but putting all your cash on Taylor riding Radiator Springs Racers again soon isn’t the right prop bet to make.

FX tends to immerse itself in worlds and takes no shortcuts on the road(s) to authenticity. The network, in conjunction with streaming partner Hulu, has recently given us the hilariously heartbreaking Reservation Dogs, the pleasurable pressure cooker of The Bear, and the cowboy swagger of Justified: City Primeval. Now, viewers are invited to dive into historical-epic territory with a big swing into a Shōgun adaptation.

Every one of the above original offerings arrives in addition to the next-day streaming Hulu feature for loads of non-FX TV shows and movies, and then there’s the Live TV option, so Hulu almost has too much to offer. For the moment, however, we will discuss what to expect from Shōgun, which will be adapted for the first time since a 1980s miniseries. FX has fully engaged in intricate world building, as we will see in the below videos.

Plot

This limited series will infuse stunning visuals into adapting James Clavell’s renowned 1975 novel, which unfurls the first chronological part of his Asian Saga. As this behind-the-scenes featurette shows, no attention to visual detail has been spared, including that pivotal shipwreck. Eek.

The expansive story follows the outbreak of a 1600s civil war and also revolves around the accounts of an English ship captain, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), whose shop becomes marooned, which is the first step in him becoming pivotal in the conflict, particularly on the side of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), whose rule has been dragged into chaos by an opposing Council of Regents (i.e., “vultures”). However, Blackthorne and Toranaga must rely upon a translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), who is no mere impartial party.

Expect to see her struggling to serve both men while also juggling competing interests. After all, Blackthorne has his own enemies, and their connection complicates matters. Additionally, Toda also hails from a disgraced family and aims to maintain her relatively newfound status as a Christian noblewoman. Betrayal, competing alliances, and possible diversions involving courtesans will also abound from corners of the story.

Cast

The production encompasses a gathering of acclaimed Japanese talent. In addition to Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Cosmo Jarvis will portray John Blackthorne. Likewise, Anna Sawai steps in as translator Toda Mariko along with Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji, Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu, Yuka Kouri as Kiku, and Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba.

Release Date

This limited series will surface on February 27 with two episodes airing on FX (and next-day on Hulu). From there, we can expect a total of 10 episodes to drop on Tuesday mights. The show will also be available to stream on Disney+ with Star+ being the Latin America streamer.

Trailer

Get ready to grow acquainted with a level of wartime maneuvering that we seldom see onscreen, even with every World War II take that continues to arrive on an annual basis. Ladies and gents, this is a straight-up trailer:

Last weekend was all about music’s biggest night, better known as the Grammys. This weekend, all eyes are on Super Bowl LVIII. Some are tuning in to watch the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs duke it out. But, honestly, others are locked in just for the entertainment. Whether it’s a jumbotron cameo from Taylor Swift or Usher’s halftime show set, music lovers are looked in.

For those lucky enough to attend the live matchup, the NFL has introduced an inaugural in-game DJ. Tiësto was slated to step into the role, but unfortunately, he had to drop out due to a family emergency.

Who Is Replacing Tiësto’s As The 2024 Super Bowl In-Game DJ?

Yesterday (February 8), the league announced Kaskade as the replacement DJ.

Excited by the opportunity, Kaskade took to X (formerly Twitter) to pen a sweet message.

“As a kid who grew up in Chicago watching the NFL Super Bowl every year with my family, this chance to actually be part of it is absolutely mind-blowing,” he wrote. “Las Vegas has been my second home for the past decade, as an architect of creating a landscape that includes House and Dance Music residencies as part of its destination. To be able to be the first electronic musician to be part of the full game experience of the Super Bowl held in Las Vegas seems like coming home, and I’m beyond excited to represent my community.”

Super Bowl LVIII will air on CBS starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, February 11. Find more information here.