Category: News

John Oliver hails from the United Kingdom, but he became a United States citizen shortly before the 2022 election. He’s still a massive Liverpool F.C. fan, but it probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn that he doesn’t maintain much sentimentality for the monarchy. He devoted this week’s deep dive to mercilessly trouncing this institution, and he began while highlighting the “complicated” reaction from some British citizens to Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

This includes a pair of young ladies (early in the above video) declaring, “It’s like I care, but I don’t” and “she ain’t done nothing for us.” In response, Oliver totally gets it and compares the situation with the bizarre way that And Just Like That… killed off a franchise-spanning character. “I had a similar reaction when Big died on the Peloton,” he began. “I don’t care because Big was pompous, good for nothing (and let’s be honest, voted for Trump), but I do care a little because I know that Carrie really cares.”

How much did Carrie care, exactly? “Look at her, there in his last moments, devastated, doing absolutely nothing.”

Granted, that’s an exaggeration. Carrie obviously cared, but there was plenty of criticism about how her character reacted. She didn’t immediately call 911, although to be fair, nothing would have saved Big at that point. She did cradle him during his final moments, and the aftermath of his death grew pretty complicated. He had left money for his ex-wife, Natasha, and Carrie also found that she couldn’t guess the password to his laptop. So yes, it was messy, just like the collective British response to Elizabeth’s death.

Oliver moved on to dissecting the fallout of Elizabeth’s imperialistic legacy, which she stoically held onto until her final days. Oliver, for sure, tore into the entire British family for “ignoring calls for true apologies and reparations to those who suffered tremendously because of what was done in their name.” Well… at least the Royals still have Piers Morgan on their side.

Damon Albarn is one of the busiest people in music. In the past decade, he’s put out solo albums and projects with Gorillaz; Africa Express; Rocket Juice & The Moon; The Good, The Bad & The Queen; and Blur. The most recent Blur album was 2015’s The Magic Whip, the supporting tour for which was the last time the band performed a proper live show. The band’s last headlining show (according to Setlist.fm) was at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 29, 2015. On March 29, 2019, though, Blur had a surprise mini-reunion during Albarn’s Africa Express concert, performing three songs.

Now, though, they’re coming back: On July 8, 2023, Blur will be performing their first show in eight years at Wembley Stadium. The gig was announced today (November 14) and tickets are set to go on sale this Friday, November 18.

Meanwhile, in recent times, it’s Gorillaz that has kept Albarn the most busy. The band’s latest album, Cracker Island, is set to drop in 2023. It follows 2020’s Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez. There’s no word yet if the Blur show at Wembley will coincide with the release of a new album from the group.

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

Margot Robbie’s next movie, Babylon, comes out around Christmas and is expected to be a Best Picture contender. But enough about that — let’s get to what really matters: Barbie. The most important movie of 2023 is oddly shrouded in mystery. We know there’s multiple Barbies, and that Robbie and Ryan Gosling look like a Lisa Frank trapper keeper, but the plot is being kept under wraps. The Oscar-nominated actress and “hottest blonde ever” didn’t give anything away in a cover story interview with Vanity Fair, but her director, Greta Gerwig, detailed the “magic” of working with Robbie.

“Once, I wanted to capture Margot in slow motion,” the Little Women director said, “but have everything else move fast, so I went up to her and said, ‘Could you move at 48 frames per second, even though we’re shooting in 24 frames per second and everyone else will be moving at regular speed?’ She did some calculation behind her eyes and then f*cking did it. She literally moved at a higher frame rate. I don’t know what category that goes into other than magic.”

All Robbie would tell Vanity Fair about Barbie, at least on the record, was that people have “strong feelings” about it. “I’d much rather that than indifference,” she added. “Now, let me subvert your expectations. It’s much scarier, but it’s also a great place to begin.”

Barbie opens on July 21, 2023. Get your neon fanny pack while you still can.

(Via Vanity Fair)

The Neighbourhood has been in the spotlight recently as singer Jesse Rutherford very much appears to be in a relationship with Billie Eilish. Now, though, the focus is on the band for a worse reason: They just kicked drummer Brandon Fried out of the group after he was accused of groping The Marías singer Marías Zardoya.

In an Instagram Story shared yesterday (November 13), Zardoya wrote, “i was at a bar last night, and i was groped under the table by brandon fried @brandonfried_, the drummer of the neighbourhood. it was one of the most uncomfortable things i’ve ever experienced. i felt an invasion of my space, privacy and body. @thenbhd ya’ll need a new drummer, this guy is a complete creep.”

A few hours later, the band took decisive action, writing on social media, “We are grateful to Maria for coming forward. We have zero tolerance for any kind of inappropriate behavior towards women. As a result of Brandon’s actions, he will no longer be a member of The Neighbourhood.”

Later, Fried did not deny the accusation in a statement of his own, writing, “I am so terribly sorry to Maria. My actions were inexcusable and intolerable. They are not reflective of who l am as a person, but clearly a reflection of who I become while under the influence. It is evident that I must address my problems with alcohol and substance abuse, which I am now seeking help for. I want to apologize to women who have been victims of any behavior that has left them feeling uncomfortable or violated. I am also sorry to The Neighbourhood and our fans for letting them down.”

This comes after the band announced in February that they were on hiatus.

Ever since Britney Spears’ conservatorship came to an end, the pop star has offered details about what living that way was like. Now, she has spoken about the lack of purchasing power she had, revealing that it had been a long time since she actually bought something by herself.

In an Instagram post shared last night (November 13), Spears said her security team used to hold her credit card, so it was only last year that she bought something by herself for the first time in 15 years.

When it came time for her first post-conservatorship purchase, it was a nerve-wracking experience, as she wrote, “A year ago was my first time buying something with my own two hands .. my legs and hands were shaking for 15 minutes after I bought something … I’m not sure why ??? Honestly I don’t know !!!”

Find Spears’ full post below.

“The significance in buying something for the first time in 15 years … security held my credit card for 15 years … when it was time to purchase I always had to step aside and be ghosted as they would type the code in and write my name … it was always a credit card !!! I hadn’t had cash in years … I forgot what it was like to buy something. I mean you would THINK I was the hardest working one in my family. Jesus f*cking Christ …

I got my first ATM card a year ago the exact date, October 19, 2021 … pretty big deal for me !!! Hopefully just a few can understand the belittling mortality in waiting in line with a man always ahead of you ghosting you and purchasing things on your behalf … the significance in using your own two hands and do the interchange of whatever the purchase may be SPEAKS VOLUMES as opposed to another person ripping me of that right for nearly 15 years !!!!

A year ago was my first time buying something with my own two hands .. my legs and hands were shaking for 15 minutes after I bought something … I’m not sure why ??? Honestly I don’t know !!!

How dare a state or nation of any sort grant any man or woman the right to use my possessions in my name … guess it’s not that big of a deal !!!! I mean it felt like my dad was trying to kill me. I’ve spoken about it several times, have proof, and witnesses of what he did …I have the hours I worked on a schedule 7 days a week …LABOR LAWS. I have proof of all of it spoke about it live in court during covid nope it’s not a big deal !!! I mean my mom laughed and said ‘I’m so happy the judge didn’t stand you up for 3 hours in your room this time then cancel on you like she did last time !!!’

And so l ask myself … in a country where this has been done to me … it’s a big enough deal to end the system I was forced to be in but every person that was involved gets to walk away like they did nothing !!! I truly believe anyone going through that situation would have never made it … if I was valued and respected, then my father would be locked up in two seconds !!! People say you will have to put up a lot of money and sue and sit for hours and not be able to use my feet again. When I want to run outside … NO THANK YOU to prove these allegations are true !!! I will never put up more money to go to court to see if my dad gets prosecuted !!! I choose to smile and put it in my family’s face until the day I die …”

Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

TIE: 10. Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix series) and Conversations With A Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (Netflix docuseries)

This serial-killer-obsessed dual selection might be on the way out the door on this list, but the Monster series will see more seasons due to the Ryan Murphy-helmed series’ ridiculous level of success. As for Joe Berlinger’s followup docuseries, we’ll also see more of his Crime Scene series with a season that focuses upon the Texas Killing Fields. True crime will remain all the rage, so close your blinds and start watching.

TIE: 10. From Scratch (Netflix series)

This is a bit of weeper, but Zoe Saldana stars in this limited series based upon Tembi Love’s memoir. The story revolves around an aspiring chef (which is why the title does sound like a reality-cooking show) who falls in love with Saldana’s character, and the two head to Los Angeles. The picture-perfect life turns out to be far less than imagined due to tragic circumstances, but people ate this series up, perhaps because we need a slight break from dark fantasy shows on streaming services? The “why” might not be as important as appreciating the wide variety of content offerings these days.

9. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Roku movie)

Post-Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe continues to do the most to reassure us that his career will never be predictable. As you can undoubtedly guess, he’s portraying the accordion-wielding parody master here in a semi-fictional adaptation of Yankovic’s own life. He and Madonna apparently didn’t get down in real life, but Evan Rachel Wood is a dead ringer in full Like A Virgin-era regalia.

8. The Watcher (Netflix series)

Are you The Watcher? Perhaps we are all The Watcher. Somehow, this Ryan Murphy show (like Monster) will also receive a second season, so that everyone can continue to be irritated by the lack of a definitive answer on who terrorized this nice family who thought they were moving into their forever home. Everyone was a suspect, and Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannivale really went through the paces, along with a stellar supporting cast that includes Margo Martindale, Mia Farrow, and Jennifer Coolidge. If you haven’t seen it yet, then buckle up and enjoy the (compelling) frustration.

7. Manifest (NBC-turned Netflix series)

Cal is miraculously five year older! He didn’t exactly Hulk out, yet that’s what happens when no one knows what the hell is happening to Flight 828. Don’t touch mysterious airplane wings, people. Seriously, though, the NBC show returned for the first chunk of what will ultimately be a very supersized season. Everyone hates Angelina, and I want Michaela and Jared to get back together, but I like Zeke, so that’s a dilemma. Hopefully showrunner Jeff Rake will bring this series home in a way that satisfies fans and provides some answers because, so far, we’ve gotten none in this sci-fi soap opera.

6. My Policeman (Amazon movie)

Don’t Worry Darling‘s behind-the-scenes drama turned out to be more entertaining than what actually materialized onscreen, and from there, Harry Styles takes center stage again as a closeted policeman. The film takes a maudlin turn and hasn’t won the biggest festival raves, but Harry fans continue to prop those viewership numbers up. As well, he’s always got Olivia Wilde’s “special salad dressing” to keep things snazzy in real life.

5. The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (Netflix series)

This British fantasy show revolves around a teenager (Nathan) who discovers that he’s the bastard son of an infamously dangerous witch, which leads to all sorts of daddy issues and revelations. Sadly, he cannot sort this out quietly in his own head because he’s soon on the run after the forces that be continue witch-hunting him, so he finds some witch friends and enlists their assistance as a rivalry between covens heats up to a boiling point. Witchy!

4. The White Lotus (HBO series streaming on HBO Max)

Thank god for Jennifer Coolidge. I’m also rooting for her to be the sole returning cast member of The Watcher‘s second season, and here, her boozy socialite character made a terrible discovery at the end of last week’s episode. In addition, the show’s thrown up an issue that we simply don’t talk about enough in this world: can a married couple survive if one of them craves morning sex, and the other does not? Mike White dares to go there while Aubrey Plaza’s character continues to roll her eyes at nearly everyone, and we love to see it.

3. The English (Amazon movie)

Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer lead this worthy Western that is not only fantastic but also is a tribute to the art of lighting, intentionally or not. The aristocratic lady and the Pawnee Scout make a well-matched team in this parable that takes aim at destiny and power and how America can turn people inside out. Cartoonish villains abound, and Emily Blunt can still kick some butt even while saddled with a massive wardrobe full of ridiculous dresses on the wild frontier. This limited series brings a final twist that fortunately isn’t a sucker punch, although it still hits hard and will leave you in contemplative mode after the final credits roll.

2. Interview With The Vampire (AMC series streaming on AMC+)

Sam Reid’s Lestat turned out to be even more delicious than the version portrayed by Tom Cruise in the 1990s. The series more than justifies its own existence by updating Louis’ story on multiple levels, and Lestat is a campy delight while dancing with a severed head and throwing a fit over a chess game. Their decloseted romance is perhaps too much fun, even if the relationship is ultimately toxic as hell. Not even the undead can have an easy romantic ride, but fortunately, we’ll see another season, so we’ll see if Lestat can actually settle his ass down and appreciate what he’s got.

1. The Crown (Netflix series)

This season is all about Princess Diana lighting the monarchy on fire and dragging Charles in public for being a terrible husband. As well, the show (which now pointedly adopts the “fictionalized” label after royal backlash) makes Charles look even more power hungry and includes the infamous “tampongate” conversation with Camilla. It’s also worth considering that casting decisions (regarding this role) continue to be questionable (at best), but again, this show all about the fiction now.

The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to get back to .500 on the season on Sunday night, but would have to do so on the second game of a back-to-back (without James Harden) against the West’s surprising top team, the Utah Jazz.

A night after putting 42 points on the Atlanta Hawks, Joel Embiid authored an even more impressive performance in what became a 105-98 Sixers win, as he set a new career-high with 59 points on 19-of-28 shooting (20-of-24 from the free throw line) along with 11 rebounds, eight assists, and seven blocks. He was sensational all night, but put forth his best work in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 in the final frame to carry the Sixers to a win on a night where only Tyrese Maxey (18 points) joined him in double figures.

Embiid took advantage of the smaller Jazz, as Kelly Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen simply didn’t have enough size to contend with the big fella, and in the fourth quarter he was absolutely dominant in carrying Philly to the win. It was not only Embiid’s best scoring game of his career, but very well his most complete game, as he passed well out of doubles (as evidenced by eight assists) and was unbelievable defensively with seven blocks.

While he did a lot of damage at the stripe, he also put the full arsenal on display in the final frame, beating the Jazz from inside and out as they just had no answers to matchup with him.

His biggest play of the game might have been on the defensive end, where he chased down Collin Sexton for a ridiculous block that preserved a three-point advantage for the Sixers with under 90 seconds to play in the game.

On a night where the Sixers’ star would’ve been forgiven for maybe not having his best on the second night of a back-to-back, he was better than ever on both ends, getting the Sixers a much needed win to get back to .500 at 7-7 and reasserting that he just might be getting back to MVP form.

Sunday’s matchup between the Cavs and Timberwolves saw both teams trying to snap 3-game losing streaks, with Cleveland tasked with doing so without Donovan Mitchell or Jarrett Allen.

Those absences proved too much for the Cavs to overcome, as Minnesota jumped out to a 20-point lead after the first quarter and maintained that edge into the fourth, before Cleveland mounted a comeback that fell just short in a 129-124 Wolves win. D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns starred for Minnesota, scoring 59 points combined in the win, but they had some serious competition in the form of Darius Garland, as the Cavs’ All-Star point guard put up a career-high 51 points in the loss.

It was the first 50-point outing of the 2022-23 season from anyone in the NBA, and Garland’s heroics were nearly enough to reel in the Wolves in the fourth quarter, as Cleveland cut the lead to as few as two in the final minute. The comeback attempt was ended by a terrific play from Rudy Gobert as he tipped a long inbound pass attempt from Kevin Love into Taurean Prince’s hands, who hit two free throws to ice the game.

It’s a much-needed win for a Minnesota team that’s been scuffling throughout the start to the season, finally seeing Towns and Gobert put together double-doubles in the same game and Russell breaking out of his shooting slump. For the Cavs, it’s a tough loss that, while understandable considering their absences, puts them on a four-game losing streak with little in the way of reprieve upcoming as they face the East’s top team, Milwaukee, next. That said, seeing Garland get rolling with a 50-point night is a silver lining on what looked like it might be a miserable night before the fourth quarter.

Barbz, rejoice! New music from Nicki Minaj is on the way. Today, the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper took to her Instagram story to announce a new collaboration with Maluma and Myriam Fares, which is set to drop this coming week.

On the story is an arrangement of three pairs of cleats tied to a fence, with each of the artists’ names printed onto them. One cleat has the number 11 printed, another reads 18, and the third reads 22, indicating that the single will drop next Friday, November 18.

At the time of writing, there’s no word about an official title for the song, however, it appears the song may be an anthem for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Earlier today, Nicki Minaj won Best Hip Hop at the MTV EMAs, and her song, “Super Freaky Girl” won Best Song.

Perhaps this star-studded collab isn’t the only bit of new music from Minaj we’ll be getting in the near future. In a recent interview with I-D Minaj spoke with City Girls’ JT about her several upcoming projects.

When JT asked Minaj what she has planned, Minaj responded. “The fifth album. I’m not gonna say when it’s gonna come out, but the album will be out soon.”

Prior to the season there was an expectation that we could see some all-time tanking efforts this season because of the talent at the top of the 2023 draft class, headlined by Victor Wembanyama. The 7’3 (and maybe growing?) French star is a generational prospect and teams got to see that up close when he put on a show in two exhibitions against Scoot Henderson (the No. 2 prospect) and the G League Ignite just before the NBA season started.

To this point, the ultimate tank-off hasn’t materialized just yet, with the likes of the Thunder, Spurs, Jazz, and Pacers — all teams expected to be part of a race to the bottom — playing near .500 or better ball through an eighth of the season. That figures to eventually change and at some point the chase for a bottom three record in the league (and 14 percent odds at Wembanyama) will be on.

For anyone skeptical of Wembanyama’s stature as an elite prospect, all you need to do is listen to the way current NBA stars talk about him after they see him up close. LeBron James heaped praise on the young star for his immense on-court abilities, and also for how he carries himself off the court despite all the hype. Stephen Curry likened him to a create-a-player in 2K come to life. And most recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo — who has a strong argument to holding the title of the best player in the world — explained to Serge Ibaka on “How Hungry Are You?” why Wembanyama is going to be a “big problem” for the NBA when he arrives.

I love Giannis starting by asking how much longer Serge wants to keep playing, as if he’s hinting that the veteran big man might want to reconsider his stance on staying around once Wemby arrives in the league. From there, he explains that Wembanyama “blocks shots like Rudy, but shoots like KD,” which is the type of thing that you would typically brush aside as hyperbole, but when you watch the young French star play you can’t help but think the exact same thing.

You can tell that the league’s best take Wembanyama very seriously as a threat as he prepares to enter the NBA, and we’ll see just how quickly he can assert himself as a star caliber player when he arrives next fall.