Month: February 2024

It has been a while since we heard new raps from Donald Glover — also known as Childish Gambino — but even though he’s mostly focused on his acting career of late, rap remains near and dear to his heart. In a new interview for Complex along with his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Maya Erskine, Erskine asks Glover for his pick for greatest rapper of all time, receiving a surprising and thoughtful response: Kanye West

After he says Kanye, he of course has to immediately address Erskine’s skepticism. “I know that’s controversial,” he admits. “But I feel like we would not have any of the rappers we have now without him.” He’s likely including himself in that assessment, as his work as Childish Gambino fairly oozed influences like Kanye and Lil Wayne — at least, up until he went full P-Funk with Awaken, My Love.

And he’s not wrong about the others, for what it’s worth. Kanye was a huge factor in bridging the ’90s/2000 “underground vs. mainstream” divide in hip-hop (in Slack, I said he brought Rawkus to Roc-a-Fella, which he pointed out several times on his debut project The College Dropout). So without Kanye, perhaps there’s no J. Cole, who was also a Jay-Z acolyte despite rapping much more like Canibus or somebody from the backpack rap circuit.

Drake famously included an interpolation of Kanye’s “Say You Will” on his breakout EP So Far Gone, leading to an up-and-down working relationship that turned into an all-out rivalry. And Kanye’s fellow Chicago rappers like Lupe Fiasco, Common, and Twista were all buoyed by their associations with him, while he directly signed and revitalized the careers of cats like Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, and Travis Scott.

However, his legacy’s been tarnished somewhat thanks to his insistence on being a contrarian to prove his “genius,” which has led him to supporting virulent bigots like Donald Trump and espousing his own antisemitic views. Glover, who’s no stranger to controversy himself, is probably taking that into account when he cites the controversy ingrained into his pick — but he’s also standing on it, which is admirable in its own way.

Watch Donald Glover and Maya Erskine’s GOAT Talk clip above.

For the last decade, the cable bundle has been unwinding as every network and major studio has launched its own streaming service to host its various popular (and unpopular) shows and movies.

The problem with this, of course, is at some point it became more expensive to have all of the different streaming services than to just have cable. That’s because networks have learned it’s expensive to host a streaming service, so prices to have them keep rising, and most of them are losing money because they didn’t want to just leave it to the established services to buy rights to popular content. The result is these companies are starting to look to re-bundle themselves together, just not specifically via cable services. We’ve already seen ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu tie themselves together in a bundle option, and now a sports-specific bundle is soon to be on the way from three of the largest sports-rights holding networks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Fox, ESPN, and Warner Bros. Discovery (which owns TNT) will launch a combined sports streaming venture that will include all of their various sports offerings under one roof. This will apparently be available to those with an ESPN+, Hulu, or Max subscription and will launch later this year — with no other real details available right now.

This would be a particularly big deal for college sports fans, as Fox and ESPN control most of the broadcasting and streaming rights in college football and basketball (with ESPN holding rights in most every other sport too). That figures to be one of the main selling points of this new deal — with a few exceptions for NBC/Peacock and CBS/Paramount. It also should be a big deal for NBA and NHL fans, as ESPN and Warner split the national broadcast rights for both sports (for now, pending the new NBA broadcast deal). The creation of this new network might also be part of their negotiations with the NBA, which has wanted to take a look into streaming options for some time.

What games and sports will be available solely to subscribers without a TV subscription remains to be seen and will likely determine how successful this venture is. That said, considering how difficult networks have found it to profit off of sports on streaming, combining forces to share a service and provide more options to fans makes a lot of sense, even if this is really just “new cable for sports.”

This summer Forrest Gump turns 30. There will almost certainly be some celebration and reappraisals and maybe even a splashing theatrical reissue. But there’s one person who won’t be joining in the revelry: the guy who got filthy rich off a show about a ranch.

Per Dexerto, Taylor Sheridan went on The Joe Rogan Experience, which he probably didn’t have to do considering he’s one of the wealthiest people in showbiz, and he aired some of his hot takes. At one point he was talking about his vision of what an artist working in a populist medium should do.

“For me, the holy grail as a storyteller is entertain, educate, and enlighten,” he said. “Don’t give anybody answers, just lots of questions to think about – that’s my job. Because I can’t stand to pay money to have someone preach to me their ideas.

“That’s the reason I hated Forrest Gump,” he added.

Sheridan went on to describe its hero, who has a low IQ and shuffles through a picaresque life, as a “doddering f*cking idiot” who the film holds up as “the only guy who can figure out the world.”

Sheridan complained how Gump decides he’s “just gonna go on a f*cking run across America and everyone’s gonna follow him and that’s gonna heal the country? I just was like, ‘What is this sh*t?’”

To make matters worse, the premise of Forrest Gump, Sheridan argued, probably wouldn’t even fly in 2024. “The irony is you couldn’t make that movie today because someone would be too offended at the portrayal of Forrest’s character,” he said.

Gump has always had lots of detractors. It’s the movie that, to some, infamously stole the coveted Best Picture Oscar from Pulp Fiction, a decidedly less cuddly movie. Still, most people complain about its cornball nature or how basic the soundtrack is. They usually don’t complain that the protagonist is kind of dumb. But Sheridan created Yellowstone and you didn’t, so let the man hate Forrest Gump.

You can watch Sheridan trash the biggest movie of 1994 below.

(Via Dexerto)

The Stranger Things kids have definitely had their fair share of media training and prep, so they know what they can and can’t talk about when it comes to the new season. For instance, Gaten Matarazzo was recently asked what he could tell fans about the upcoming final season and he replied, “that we are making it,” so we aren’t getting much here.

But he can mention his dreams for the fifth and final season. And he’s had a lot of time to think about it, since the show has been around for eight years, so hear him out. “It might sound messed up but we should kill more people,” Matarazzo claimed. “This show would be so much better if the stakes were much higher, like at any moment any of these kids can kick it. I feel like we’re all too safe.” He’s right! Nothing says “safe” quite like supernatural government cover-ups in 1980s Indiana.

While it might sound a little messed up, especially considering half of the characters are pre-teen DnD nerds, he brings up a good point. The series is pretty consistent in killing short-term characters who have only appeared for a few episodes, so if any long-term characters die, the show will definitely feel darker…which is a lot considering the whole demon plotline from last season.

Season five of Stranger Things will allegedly be the last, but we likely won’t see it until 2025. It will be fun to see how they explain that time gap!

(Via CBR)

As the Super Bowl approaches, it’s time to make sure your brain is adequately prepared to see all of those celebrity-infused ads without getting too overloaded. Just take it one commercial at a time. You’ve got this.

Actor Carl Weathers, who passed away last week at the age of 76, was set to appear in a FanDuel commercial at the big game, though the plans are changing a bit. A teaser for the ad dropped last month, featuring Weathers coaching Rob Gronkowski as he attempts to kick a field goal. It was set to be tied in with a real-time kick, and now FanDuel is adjusting its plan.

According to Andrew Sneyd, FanDuel’s executive vice president of marketing, the company had two versions of the game day commercial starring Weathers. “One is an edit if he makes the kick and we have an edit if he misses. That content we had in those masters wouldn’t be appropriate for us to do any more,” Sneyd told Variety. “Since the news of Carl’s passing came, we have been working with editors to help us get back to something that does make sense,” he added. He also confirmed that he is in contact with Weathers’ family “to make sure they are comfortable” with the ad.

Despite the heavy nature of the editing, Sneyd said that it was “wonderful” to work with Weathers. “We have been viewing edits through tears. We really enjoyed the short time we had to work with him. He’s a wonderful man and he genuinely is an inspiration and had such a positive outlook on the world. We want to make sure we try to meet this moment with the respect it deserves.”

(Via Variety)

If you follow any hip-hop accounts on Twitter/I’m-Never-Calling-It-“X,” you’ve may have seen a new name pop up in relation to a bunch of popular rappers today. Adin Ross, a streaming star on the platform Kick, has been embroiled in minor scandals involving rappers like 21 Savage and Playboi Carti — particularly ones involving money. So, who is Adin Ross and what’s the deal with rap beef?

Like Kai Cenat, Ross is a streaming personality who has become extremely popular with high-profile rappers — mostly because he’s popular with the audience demographics the most high-profile rappers need to reach to stay high-profile. Unlike his streaming brethren, however, he got his start on Twitch, playing games like NBA 2K, which led to him rubbing shoulders with real-life NBA prospect Bronny James and his NBA All-Star dad.

Naturally, once that happened, he gained followers by the thousands, despite sometimes expressing some questionable views and allegiances. He was eventually banned from Twitch due to hate speech for using slurs, then switched to Kick, where his live chat is reportedly “flooded with racist and antisemitic messages by viewers.”

Ross was confronted by 21 Savage during a recent livestream in which the pair played cards and Ross accused Savage of cheating. The bet purportedly won Savage $250,000 as the rapper was allegedly able to identify face cards thanks to markings on the backs. There was some speculation on social media that the entire incident was faked for attention — entirely possible, given the folks involved — but there were plenty who were A-OK with Savage finessing the streamer, who’s garnered a reputation for platforming hateful figures.

Connecticut group Goose has two big announcements today (February 6): They’re going on tour in 2024, and Cotter Ellis is their new drummer.

The band’s Rick Mitarotonda said in a press release, “I first saw Cotter play with his band Swimmer at Nectar’s some years ago. I was sitting solo at one of the bar tables right in front of the stage with the PA ripping. The set was awesome, they’re all fantastic players and I was taken with the buoyant energy and how much fun they were having. Something had me glued to the drums though. His pocket and feel were gripping. He really told a story with his playing that night. It was an experience that always stuck with me.”

As for the tour, it starts in June and runs throughout the month. Learn more about how to get tickets on the band’s website.

Find the band’s upcoming tour dates below.

Goose 2024 Tour Dates

05/24-26 — Chillicothe, IL @ Summer Camp Presents Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie
06/04 — St. Louis, MO @ The Factory
06/05 — St. Louis, MO @ The Factory
06/07 — Greenwood Village, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
06/08 — Greenwood Village, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
06/10 — Omaha, NE @ Steelhouse
06/11 — Kansas City, MO @ The Midland
06/12 — Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
06/14 — Swanzey, NH @ Northlands Music & Arts Festival (Two Sets)
06/15 — Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC
06/16 — Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion
06/18 — Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
06/20 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
06/21 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
06/22 — Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
06/23 — Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
06/25 — Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point
06/26 — Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point
06/28 — Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center
06/29 — New York, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
06/30 — New Haven, CT @ Westville Music Bowl

Almost three years ago to the day, Gina Carano was fired from The Mandalorian following a series of controversial statements on social media. She’s now firing back at Disney with a lawsuit, but with an interesting and perhaps revealing twist: Her legal action is being funded by Elon Musk.

During the first two seasons of the hit Disney+ series, Carano played Cara Dune, a former shock trooper for the Rebel Alliance who befriended Mando (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu as they navigated the galaxy following the Empire’s defeat. However, during the COVID pandemic, Carano began getting increasingly political on social media. The actress railed against masking mandates, spread election fraud conspiracy theories, and engaged in transphobia and antisemitism before being released from The Mandalorian by Disney heading into Season 3.

Carano is now claiming “wrongful termination” and “discrimination” in the suit funded through X/Twitter.

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

According to the complaint, Disney and Lucasfilm harassed and defamed Carano for refusing to conform with their viewpoints on issues relating to Black Lives Matter, preferred pronouns and disproven claims of election interference. While she was allegedly fired for her cultural and religious beliefs, Carano argues that the entertainment giant turned a blind eye to her male costars, who allegedly made offensive and denigrating posts directed towards Republicans.

Carano’s lawsuit follows her Instagram tribute to the late Carl Weathers, who she starred with on The Mandalorian. Carano’s tribute made notable references to her ouster from The Mandalorian as well as insinuated that Weathers was deprived of a chance to direct episodes of Rangers of the New Republic. The series was reportedly set to be a spinoff based on Carano’s character, but it was indefinitely shelved following her firing.

You can read her tribute to Weathers below:

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Last month, Mitski kicked off the 2024 North American leg of her The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We Tour in Miami Beach, Florida, and has been treating fans to shows in major cities since. With lots of stops left, including in New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles, and Mitski then heading to Europe later this year, here’s what to expect on the length of her concert.

How Long Is Mitski’s The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We Tour Concert?

Based on Mitski’s recent stop in Durham, North Carolina, she played a total of 25 songs with the two encores (“Nobody” and “Washing Machine Heart”) included. According to setlist.fm, she went on stage at 9:05 p.m. that night. The tour average time of her concert so far has been estimated at 2 hours and 8 minutes after doors, so fans could expect to be heading home by 10:30 p.m. on a typical show.

The average show length is estimated at 1 hour and 19 minutes. Fans will also hear a range of selections from her various albums, with ten songs being included from her recent record, and the most recent setlist listed here.

For more information about tickets, visit Mitski’s website. A complete list of her North American tour dates can be found here.

Many of Quentin Tarantino’s otherwise-unconnected movies are set in the same universe. Now another Oscar-winning writer is building her own cinematic universe.

Lisa Frankenstein — about a teenage girl (Kathryn Newton) who resurrects a corpse (Cole Sprouse) to fall in love with — is Diablo Cody‘s first horror-comedy since cult favorite Jennifer’s Body. Besides sharing a genre, the two films have something else in common. “I am just declaring that this movie takes place in the same universe,” she told Deadline. “I have decided that. I will not say that you’d see any overt references to that but I’m saying it.”

More writers and directors should do this. There’s nothing stopping Steven Spielberg from waking up one day and deciding that E.T. is buddies with the T-rex from Jurassic Park. Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it never happened. Hopefully their friendship will be explored in the next Jurassic movie.

Here’s more on Lisa Frankenstein:

A coming of RAGE love story from acclaimed writer Diablo Cody about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness, and… a few missing body parts along the way.

Directed by Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein opens in theaters on February 9.

(Via Deadline)