Back before Madden became the sole owner of the NFL license for video games, there were tons of football games to choose from. One of the original options fans could play was Tecmo Super Bowl. Back in the days of the NES and arcade machines, Tecmo Bowl was a favorite because it featured the likenesses of a couple of players and actual NFL teams. One of the most famous players featured in Tecmo Bowl was the then Los Angeles Raiders Bo Jackson. The multisport athlete was one of the biggest stars in all of sports at the time with his play not only on the football field but his time spent playing baseball for the Kansas City Royals.
While Bo was obviously famous for his accomplishments on the field, he may have become even more notorious for what he could do in the virtual world, because in Tecmo Super Bowl he was pretty much unstoppable. The Raiders became the original auto-ban team when friends would play each other because if someone had Jackson they could easily dance around the entire defense and score touchdowns at will. He’s arguably the most overpowered character in the history of video games and now he’s coming back.
The Twitter account for Madden 22 put out a teaser on Monday teasing that the legendary Bo Jackson would be making his return to the virtual world in their game. He’ll likely be showing up in Madden’s Superstar KO mode, which is where they like to showcase some of the more arcade-y aspects of the game, such as college football teams.
Honestly, this sounds really fun if they do it right. Put in Jackson and give him ridiculous stats that no player is allowed to have. Let players truck lineman with ease and run around safeties like they’re standing still. Make Jackson feel just like he did in the old Tecmo Super Bowl games. Video games are meant to be fun and we deserve that fun of using an overpowered Jackson in a modern game like Madden 22.
A new neighbor is moving on to the street where the “air is sweet.” After 52 years on air,Sesame Street is adding its first AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) muppet, a 7-year-old Korean-American named Ji-Young. The young girl will be performed by Sesame Workshop puppeteer Kathleen Kim, and is slated to make her big debut in Sesame Street‘s upcoming Thanksgiving special: “See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special.”
While Sesame Street is saving Ji-Young’s big introduction for the special, the show has already shared a bit about their newest (and pretty cool sounding) resident. According to AP, Ji-Young is an avid electric guitar player with a passion for skateboarding, with much of her personality based on that of her puppeteer, Kim. Ji-Young herself also shared the story behind her name, and how it coincidentally meant she was destined to live on Sesame Street:
“So, in Korean traditionally the two syllables they each mean something different and Ji means, like, smart or wise. And Young means, like, brave or courageous and strong,” Ji-Young explained during a recent interview. “But we were looking it up and guess what? Ji also means sesame.”
However, while Ji-Young is the first Asian-American muppet to join the show, she is not the first Asian-American character. Cast member Alan Muraoka, who plays Alan, the owner of Hooper’s Store, is Japanese-American and has been a staple of Sesame Street since 1998. In fact, the long-time Sesame Street star will actually be co-directing Ji-Young’s debut special, “See Us Coming Together,” on November 25. In addition to Muraoka, several AAPI stars — such as actors Simu Liu and Anna Cathcart, comic book artist Jim Lee, chef Melissa King, television personality Padma Lakshmi, and tennis great Naomi Osaka — will all make an appearance on the special to welcome the children show’s newest resident.
For those who might be wondering why the show chose now to introduce Ji-Young, executive vice-president of Creative and Production for Sesame Workshop Kay Wilson Stallings said it is a direct response to this year’s rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and the growing need for children’s shows to address racism. According to Stallings, the company reflected on how they could “meet the moment,” and decided if they were going to address the treatment of AAPI people, they needed to have proper representation and a clear voice to help deliver the message, and Ji-Young (through her puppeteer, Kim) seemed just the person to do it.
Surely, this is something even Ted Cruz can’t take issue with.
When the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers tip off at Staples Center Monday evening, it’ll mark Alex Caruso’s first game against the team that saw him carve out a substantial role in the NBA. This past summer, Caruso left the Lakers to sign with the Bulls on a four-year, $37 million deal.
Yet Caruso was never determined to bounce from Los Angeles and was entirely willing to return for the right price. According to a report from The Athletic’s Bill Oram, the Lakers simply refused to ever move off of their initial offer of three years, $21 million, even when Caruso presented Chicago’s offer to the organization and countered with two years, $20 million — roughly the same annual amount as the Bulls’ number for half the years.
“No dollars and cents higher than that (first offer) ever came back,” Caruso told Oram. “There’s no counters. It was just, I think, that was kind of all they had. And at that point, it was like, okay, I have to make an executive decision based on real life here.”
Foolishly, the Lakers prioritized luxury tax savings over retaining a key role player and elite perimeter defender to pursue another title run. Other offseason moves produced a $44 million luxury tax bill for the franchise, prior to any decision regarding Caruso.
“According to salary cap expert Danny Leroux, if Caruso had agreed to the Lakers offer, the franchise would have owed an additional $17.5 million in luxury tax, a fact the Lakers hoped would resonate with Caruso,” Oram wrote. “Even though those tax dollars wouldn’t land in his bank account, it did represent a total financial commitment greater than what the Bulls paid and, in the Lakers’ mind, aligned their actual investment with his market value.”
Obviously, that’s absurd logic. They wanted to guarantee Caruso roughly 55 percent of the total money the Bulls offered while signing him for 75 percent of the years, and pitched him on it with faulty rationale that focused on the team’s finances rather than his own. The Lakers have clearly missed his on-court services so far this season, and it’s because ownership and management bungled this situation by valuing wealth over basketball success.
Fortunately for Caruso, the Bulls have been a splendid destination. He’s playing superbly on a well-fitting team and found financial security for himself long-term.
After a solid 5-4 start to the season, the Sacramento Kings are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, an all-too familiar sight for Kings fans. After suffering through a pair of nine-game droughts last year on their way to missing the play-in, the Kings are apparently not going to be as patient with head coach Luke Walton this season.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Shams Charania, Walton will not be given as long of a leash this season as there is a mandate from within the organization to snap the team’s 15-year playoff drought. As such, long losing streaks won’t just put Walton on a hot seat but could get him actually fired, as Amick and Charania say he will “likely be in peril soon if the current slide continues.”
That the Kings are already back in this position is incredibly frustrating to the Sacramento faithful, many of whom felt a coaching change was needed this summer. That Monte McNair and the Kings brass backed Walton and chose to keep him around, only to throw him back on the hot seat after 13 games leads many to wonder why he was given a third season to begin with. The next three games will be critical for the Kings and Walton, as they face the Pistons, Timberwolves, and Raptors, all games they should have a chance to win. With a brutal stretch of the schedule following this three-game respite (Jazz, Sixers, Blazers, Lakers, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, and Clippers) if Walton is to save his job, it seems necessary that they win at least two if not all three to bring some positivity back to California’s capital city.
If not, the Kings may be headed towards a midseason coaching change and more uncertainty, which has been the unfortunate default setting in Sacramento for some time.
Town Branch/Wild Turkey/Stellum/Blade & Bow/istock/Uproxx
Bourbon is a complicated spirit. This corn-based whiskey (usually but not exclusively made in Kentucky) seems to have two distinct sides. On one side are the reasonably-priced, easy-to-find bottles. The other side is filled with allocated, over-priced, unicorns that bourbon aficionados would consider selling at least one of their kidneys to add to their collection.
While we’re all for enjoying the Pappy, Weller, Parker’s Heritage, and other hard-to-find bottles, it’s pretty easy to argue that some drinkers overvalue these difficult-to-find releases. That’s why, today we’re going to talk about the less-respected, underrated, and totally undervalued bourbons on the market.
To find them, we asked a handful of our favorite, well-known bartenders to tell us the most undervalued bourbons on the market. Their picks definitely didn’t disappoint. Keep scrolling to see their picks before you head to your local store or online retailer to snag them.
Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel
Rock Hill Farms
John Dal Canton, assistant general manager, and beverage director at La Stella Cucina Verace in Dallas
Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon has warm aromas and flavors of roasted apple, candied cherry, and vanilla that appease even the most discerning of bourbon enthusiasts. When you can find it, this bourbon has an MSRP of $60, but I would easily pay double for this bottle.
I consider the most under-valued bourbon bottle to be Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 because of its extra-long finishing. It’s a product made with flavors from each side of the wood. We can feel a balance of the flavor of caramel with Lignia wood. Its price in the market is $60 to $70 but it could cost upwards of $100 and it’s totally worth it.
Laws Four Grain
Laws
Seth Merin, bartender at Miss Shirley’s in Washington, DC
I would have to say Laws Whiskey House Four Grain Bourbon is quite an undervalued bottle. Its aromas outperform anything I’ve had and the rich finish makes it quite smooth, performing like a bottle worth over $100. The bourbon’s cinnamon flavor also makes it special.
Town Branch Sherry Cask
Town Branch
Lauren Parton, general manager of Viceroy in Chicago
Town Branch Sherry Cask changes enough every year that helps to always make it worth it. When I first tasted it a few years ago, it had more sweet fig notes to it. You could just throw a big rock in there and it’s basically a cocktail. This year when I tried it again, it was a lot brighter with more clove and orange. I would gladly pay $25 a pour at a bar for a dram.
Old Forester 1910
Old Forester
Nicholas Karel, director of bars, lounges, and beverages at Windsor Court in New Orleans
Although difficult to find at times, the bottle retails for around $50. This expression mimics the bourbon produced when a fire broke out at the Forester distillery in 1910 which halted production and required that mature whisky be re-barreled until production could continue. The second-barreling affords 1910 a luxurious sweetness with notes of oatmeal, raisin, chocolate, and spice. I’d happily pay upwards of $80 for this unique bottle.
I think Wild Turkey 101 is a very under-valued bottle of bourbon. It’s honestly one of my favorite bourbons overall, and you can pick it up at most places for around $20 a bottle. It’s a great sipper neat or on the rocks. The nose of tobacco and oak gives way to smooth flavors of vanilla and caramel, and their signature high-rye content gives it a spicy finish. Also, the above-average 101 proof helps it hold up in any cocktail that calls for bourbon. I love a Wild Turkey boulevardier. I’d gladly pay $50 plus for a bottle, but I’m glad it’s only $20.
Stellum
Stellum
Christopher Rodriguez, lead bartender at Lucy Restaurant & Bar in Yountville, California
The most under-valued bourbon is Stellum. I enjoy anything that is higher than 100 proof because water can always be added to bring it to the proof you wish. Although Stellum is 114 proof, it is great on its own and is not overpowering.
The best under-valued bottle of Bourbon? Blade and Bow. It’s perfect for drinking on the rocks or tossing it into your favorite cocktail, either will do this bourbon justice. Created using a solera style system, some of each bottle contains bourbon from the original Stitzel-Weller Distillery that closed its doors in 1992. Diageo reopened the distillery in 2014 to bring you great bourbons like this and Blade and Bow 22 Year.
J.T.S. Brown Bottled in Bond is such an excellent value for a four-year, 100 proof bourbon from Heaven Hill. Being that it’s bottled in bond, you can expect to get some classic bourbon flavors (caramel, oak, vanilla) but it also has some interesting corn notes and hints of baking spice and cinnamon with surprising complexity. For the bourbon-beginner or value shopper, J.T.S. Brown Bottled in Bond is a must-have.
Eagle Rare 10
Eagle Rare
Steven Minor, corporate beverage director at 1 Hotels in Los Angeles
Hailing from Buffalo Trace, America’s most legendary and award-winning distillery, Eagle Rare is a Kentucky straight bourbon aged for no less than ten years. It drinks smooth with notes of toffee, American oak, and cacao and is my favorite in an old fashioned. Due to the wild popularity of Buffalo Trace juice, prices can vary but this bottle should retail between $55-75. Its older brother, Eagle Rare 17, which is part of the highly coveted and sought-after Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, is the stuff legends are made of and practically impossible to find.
When looking for bourbon, I’ll typically walk through my local liquor store and pick up a random bottle for around $20, sometimes you can find a gem. Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon was one of those finds. The notes include honey, almond, and walnut with a great spiced char that lingers just long enough. I’ve been playing with it as my “home whiskey” ever since and it holds up well in cocktails whether you’re sticking to a classic or riffing away and creating something new. I’d honestly pay up to $60 for this quality of bourbon, so I stocked up hoping to keep the secret safe a bit longer.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Elijah Craig
Pascal Pinalt, director of restaurants and bars at The Confidante in Miami
Elijah Craig Small Batch is a straight bourbon made with corn, rye, and malted barley. You have a lot of different flavors of spices, fruits, and toastiness. Its rich texture makes it a little sweet and can easily appeal to anyone just starting to enjoy bourbon. I would not have any problems paying $50 for this bourbon.
Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Four Roses
Nick Baitzel, beverage director of restaurant group Sojourn Philly in Philadelphia
Four Roses Bourbon is a phenomenal choice for the price. Located right in the heart of bourbon country and surrounded by some big names that fetch a hefty price for their bourbons, Four Roses continues to create a great product for a fraction of their competitors’ costs. It’s a smooth and mellow bourbon, I’d suggest drinking it on the rocks.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Old Grand-Dad
Christopher Devern, lead bartender of Red Owl Tavern in Philadelphia
For about $25, you are purchasing a classic bourbon that deserves its spot on any bar’s shelf. My preference is on a big rock or mixed into an old fashioned. With notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, and other baking spices this bourbon has a depth of flavor and is definitely has plenty of bang for its buck. I would be willing to pay more if needed.
There are a lot of great things happening in Tennessee when it comes to whiskey. While the conversation about Tennessee whiskey has been dominated by George Dickel and, of course, Jack Daniel’s, there is so much more going on now with new brands and those old-school classics changing up their own lines. It’s an exciting time to follow and drink Tennessee whiskey, and that’s why we’re blind-tasting some of our favorites below.
The keyword there is “favorites.” We’re not tasting every single Tennessee whiskey on the shelf. We’re tasting six Tennessee whiskeys that we dig. Three of these TN whiskeys are sourced. The other three are made and bottled under their own labels. One of them was one of my favorite whiskeys of the year back when I tasted in the early summer. Will it still stand up? Let’s find out.
Our lineup today is:
George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond, Fall 2008
Nelson’s Green Brier Sour Mash Tennessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
Bib & Tucker Small Batch 6-Year-Old
Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blender’s Edition
Gentleman Jack
It’s a small but powerful grouping of whiskeys. Let’s see which one comes out on top!
The nose on this one is mildly sweet with almost earthy maple syrup next to pecans from a pie with a touch of dried apple and old leather. The taste runs deep with vanilla leading the way next to a touch of apple and pecan crumble. The mid-palate takes a turn away from all of that and dives into a candied cherry that’s dusted with dark chocolate and a ground-up fruit Neco Wafer or Flintstone’s multivitamin (that’s also cherry-flavored) before the finish gets this browned butter vibe with a touch of soft, sweet oak.
Taste 2
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
This is heavy on the apples and leather on the nose with a touch of cinnamon cutting through the apple and just a hint of caramel sneaking in. The taste holds onto the apple/cinnamon but attaches it more to a toast with plenty of brown sugar that then turns into rich and almost chewy cherry tobacco by the mid-palate. The finish leans into the spicier side of that tobacco as a subtle note of sweet and wet cedar lingers on your palate.
Taste 3
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
This is all Cinnamon Pecan Sandies, sweet grass, and leather on the nose. The palate is equal parts sweet vanilla cream pie and tart apple pie with walnuts and plenty of spice. The end brings back the leather on the tongue as mild florals lead towards a thin cherry/chocolate mix.
Taste 4
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
This starts out earthy and leathery with hints of wet cedar next to woody vanilla. The texture is very light and has this matrix of spicy apple cider next to touches of ginger snaps and a minerality. The finish really leans into the spicy apple but with more of a tobacco vibe to it.
Taste 5
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
The nose on this one is huge with meaty dates next to rich marzipan, worn leather, sweet Gala apples, dry cedar, and bright red cherries. The palate has this vanilla and eggnog latte vibe with a walnut background until the mid-palate comes in with a moist and heavy vanilla pound cake bespeckled with poppy seeds next to orange-infused marzipan covered in dark chocolate that leads towards a hint of dry cherry tobacco and a final note of chocolate-covered raisins.
Taste 6
Zach Johnston
Tasting Notes:
This starts with an apple nut bread with plenty of spice that then turns into a soft suede that someone spilled cherry pie filling on with the faintest whiff of vanilla tobacco lurking in the background. The taste starts with a spiced cedar box next to a banana cream pie made with vanilla pudding and topped with whipped cream that’s dotted with dark chocolate flecks. The mid-palate has this apple-caramel-tobacco vibe that leads towards a soft leather and a touch more of that cherry pie filling.
Part 2: The Ranking
Zach Johnston
6. Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Aged 6 Years — Taste 4
Bib & Tucker pulls barrels of Tennessee whiskey from an old and quiet valley in the state. They then blend those barrels to meet their brand’s flavor notes. While they are laying down their own whiskey now, this is still all about the blending of those barrels in small batches.
Bottom Line:
I actually wrote, “this is pretty good” in my notes next to this one. The thing is, as good as it was it just didn’t quite live up to the rest on this list. There was thinness at play that just couldn’t break through.
This whiskey is built from a batch of barrels that are a minimum of seven years old. Nearest’s Master Blender, Victoria Eady-Butler, builds the blend according to classic flavor notes first put into Tennessee whiskey by her ancestor, Nearest Green, back in the 1800s.
Bottom Line:
This suffered very much like the Bib & Tucker above. It’s really tasty but thin. There was a bit more going on but it felt a little small.
Nelson’s Green Brier is a heritage brand that has a great comeback story. The family’s shingle was killed by Prohibition until descendants of the former owners stumbled upon the old distillery. Now, they’re making one of the finest, wheated Tennessee whiskeys at one of the most accessible price points of any whiskey.
Bottom Line:
This had a lot going on but, again, it was a little light comparatively. Still, it was pretty damn delicious all-around and definitely a solid candidate for sipping or mixing.
This bottle was introduced (in its current iteration) in 1990. The key to this expression is that it’s good ol’ Old No. 7 Jack Daniel’s that is passed through sugar maple charcoal — the famed Lincoln County Process that defines Tennessee whiskey — twice before proofing with Jack’s iconic cave water and bottled.
Bottom Line:
I would have put good money on this being in last place. I really didn’t like this that much when I last drank it (about a year ago). I had been using it in cocktails but that was about it. Now, I’ve changed my attitude on this given that I put it at third today. This was really tasty and unique. But it was also super easy to drink while being very distinct.
2. George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond Fall 2008 — Taste 1
Nicole Austin has been killing it with these bottled-in-bond releases from George Dickel. This year’s release is a whiskey that was warehoused in the fall of 2008. Eleven years later, this juice was bottled at 100 proof (as per the law) and sent out to the wide world in late 2020, where it received much adoration.
Bottom Line:
This is just straight-up delicious. It’s complex yet approachable. It’s unique yet familiar. This is a winner all around.
1. Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blender’s Edition — Taste 5
The juice in the bottle is Heaven Door’s low-rye 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon. They take that whiskey and fill it into Redbreast whiskey casks that had previously aged Irish whiskey for 12 years. After 15 months of final maturation, those barrels are vatted and slightly proofed down with soft Tennessee spring water.
Bottom Line:
This wasn’t a surprise at all. This expression is damn near perfect. It’s so deeply hewn with pronounced flavors that feel like coming in from the rain and sitting next to a warm fire. This is a stellar whiskey.
Part 3: Final Thoughts
Zach Johnston
I think the biggest surprise for me today was the Gentleman Jack scoring so high. I really didn’t think I liked that whiskey that much. That’s why I love these blind taste tests, you’ll always be surprised what you pick and don’t.
As for the rest, I wasn’t overly shocked. That Heaven’s Door expression is just pure fire. It remains one of my favorite pours of the year for sure — as does the Dickel. I guess I have to say that I was a bit surprised Uncle Nearest didn’t rank higher given all the awards love it receives. But it was just a bit thin for me today. Maybe I’ll put it up against only other small batches next time and see how it fares. Until then, I’m going to be sipping on that Heaven’s Door.
Lady Gaga spoke in an Italian accent for “nine months” to get into character as Patrizia Reggiani for Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, but apparently it wasn’t enough.
“I feel bad saying this, but her accent is not exactly an Italian accent, it sounds more Russian,” actress and Gucci dialect coach Francesca De Martini told the Daily Beast. De Martini was brought on board to help Salma Hayek accurately mimic Giuseppina Auriemma, and she was surprised to learn that “there wasn’t a dialogue coach on set.”
After shooting her scenes with Gaga for one day, Hayek asked for some help. “What happened was this: Salma shot for one day and then asked for a dialogue coach,” De Martini shares. “I think she heard the accent wasn’t right and she was worried — she wanted to do well… I was noticing when I was on set, because I had earphones working with Salma and hearing what she was saying so I could help her to get it right, so I could hear Lady Gaga as well.”
While lightly critical of Gaga’s Mario-by-way-of-Natasha from Rocky and Bullwinkle voice, De Martini praised Hayek for being able to “nail the Italian accent” during improvisational scenes. The interview doesn’t mention her thoughts on whatever the heck Jared Leto is doing in the trailer, so I’ll assume she also thinks that Paolo Gucci should have been played by the car guy from I Think You Should Leave.
Following the death of Chadwick Boseman, Marvel and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has been steadfast in their decision not to recast the role of T’Challa. While that choice was undoubtedly an obstacle for the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios and Coogler have committed themselves to the task. However, they might not have the full support of Black Panther fans who have been making waves on social media in favor of recasting T’Challa. It’s to the point where Marvel Vice President of Development Nate Moore has issued a response.
While calls to recast T’Challa have popped up before following Boseman’s death, they resurfaced last week after a report that Black Panther actress Letitia Wright’s unvaccinated status could cause a significant delay to the sequel if the production doesn’t find a way around recent travel restrictions. The situation prompted speculation for recasting Wright’s character; after all, Shuri, who as T’Challa’s sister, could become the next Black Panther. But fans didn’t stop there. Some began calling for a recast of both T’Challa and Shuri, so the films could restore the two main characters to their glory and do right by the Black Panther legacy.
While talking to The Ringer-verse podcast over the weekend, Moore shot down any talk of recasting T’Challa and reiterated Coogler’s stance on honoring Boseman:
MCU VP of Development Nate Moore puts to rest any discussion about recasting the character of T’challa as Black Panther. Says he talked with Ryan Coogler about it, and “we just couldn’t do it” more on @RingerVerse. T’challa is gone guys you agree or no? pic.twitter.com/MYoWKyqlmF
Speaking on the Ringer-Verse Podcast on November 13, Moore explained: “We couldn’t do it. I will say, when Chadwick passed, it was a real conversation we had with Coogler about ‘what do we do?’
“And it was a fast conversation—it wasn’t weeks it was minutes of, ‘we have to figure out how to move the franchise on without that character.’”
While Marvel is in a tough situation in moving forward with the Black Panther franchise, unfortunately, some fans didn’t agree with Moore’s latest remark. On Monday morning, T’Challa started trending on Twitter as Black Panther fans respectively argued that the character is larger than Boseman, and that future fans shouldn’t be denied a chance to see T’Challa in action as the Black Panther.
Maybe it was too soon for BP2, but the character should continue. The world needs T’Challa. https://t.co/tAdRiz29Sw
All due respect to the great Chadwick Boseman (RIP) but these characters are greater than any one person, they’re modern day myths. No role should be forbidden from recasting, especially one so important. I’m pretty sure it would’ve been what he wanted anyway. But it’s too soon. https://t.co/IiNNnGwvGZ
Man, I miss Chadwick Boseman and I can somewhat understand the sentiment in the immediate moment, but it’s weird to me that people are lobbying for a situation where a child ten years from now can’t see T’Challa on screen because we adults decided today it shouldn’t happen. https://t.co/MmWFUC9mEf
Superheroes are bigger than an actor. When Christopher Reeve & Heath Ledger died, DC didnt kill off those characters. @MarvelStudios don’t let T’challa’s journey end as a result of your own personal feelings on Chadwick. BP’s incredible, pivotal stories are bigger than him. https://t.co/rSp9iNbauZ
They about to show us a MCU spider-man film with 3 different spider-man. T’Challa is a hero to an entire generation of people and specifically Black youth.Shutting T’Challa down sends what message to Black youth? Get it together Marvel Studios. I say that with love #BlackPantherhttps://t.co/oeklUevXCW
— Jason (Moderna. One Piece stan) (@EscaflowneClown) November 15, 2021
With all due respect, T’Challa is bigger than Chadwick Boseman. I forever think it’s a terrible decision to retire the character after the death of the actor. https://t.co/hq4ZK5i27X
While fans voiced their disapproval of T’Challa not coming back, others latched onto Moore’s interesting choice of words, which seemed to open the door to a Multiverse solution to the Black Panther conundrum:
“You will not see T’Challa in the MCU 616 Universe”. He basically gave us a hint and some people missed it… https://t.co/hFbAdP3l32
Noticed he said “You will not see T’Challa in the MCU 616 universe.” Which means we will see a different T’Challa from one of the multi universes. I can dig it. https://t.co/Nk5wYkFgFw
He said T’Challa will not be back in the Earth-616 universe. We are in the multiverse now and Variants, etc. So he potentially can appear thru another universe. https://t.co/JTvUmORYwn
Dexter: New Blood brought us a whole “new” Dexter Morgan last week, although by the end of the episode, he’d internally given up the Jim Lindsay title. The impetus for that return to “normalcy” was twofold: (1) Dexter killed again; (2) Harrison showed up to greet dad for the first time in nearly a decade (nothing like a little father-son bonding at a crime scene, right?). And the cleanup for both these developments isn’t an easy job, which is wonderful to see because (let’s face it) Dexter let us all down, years ago, and he’s got a lot of making-up-for-lost-time to do.
This episode straddles those two subjects quite well, but once again, I’m getting ahead of myself here because I’ve so far neglected to mention this week’s glorious episode title: “Storm Of F*ck.” How marvelous is that one? It’s somehow better than the greatest — including I May Destroy You‘s “Ego Death,” Arrested Development‘s “The Immaculate Election,” Lucifer‘s “The Good, the Bad and the Crispy” and “Trip To Stabby Town,” and countless Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad offerings — out there. Surely, you can think of your own favorite episode titles, which are in plentiful supply out there and increasing daily because there’s so much TV. Yet “Storm Of F*ck” is a fine utterance, and it’s something that I aim to use on a regular basis.
It’s short, visceral, and to the point, and as Dexter writer Warren Hsu Leonard declared on Twitter, this week’s episode guarantees that “I’ll be forever associated with the phrase Storm of F*ck whenever anyone Googles me.” He added, “Exactly what my parents hoped for when I graduated from Harvard Law School. Hope you enjoy it!” Dude, be proud of what you’ve accomplished here.
I wrote this week’s episode of #Dexter New Blood, called STORM OF FUCK. Which means I’ll be forever associated with the phrase Storm of Fuck whenever anyone Googles me. Exactly what my parents hoped for when I graduated from Harvard Law School. Hope you enjoy it! pic.twitter.com/292jJB5ZtZ
Granted, “Storm Of F*ck” doesn’t have the same cadence as other Deb-isms, including “Where in Fucktopia are You?” and “Motherf*cking suck bag, you c*ck munching f*cking f*ck nugget!” Yet it will do, and my goodness, can you imagine what would happen if “Storm Of F*ck” receives an Emmy nod for writing? If that doesn’t happen for sheer effect, there’s no justice in this world.
I can’t wait until tonight’s episode STORM OF FUCK wins the Emmy for “Best Episode Title Ever.” #Dexter#DexterNewBlood
That nomination announcement would be even better than The Boyssubmitting that whale clip. Further, I need to hear Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon present this category at next year’s ceremony. Don’t let me down, Television Academy.
Elsewhere, this episode largely served to move chess pieces into place ahead of next week’s episode, which turns up the heat on the title character. Here’s what I enjoyed most about this episode.
– The “You Got Big” moment: Part of what’s so fun about this revival is that Dexter is truly out of his element, and the awkwardness won’t stop. He can’t propel himself into action as the local Iron Lake blood-spatter specialist. He can only pull a few strings, here and there, since he’s dating a cop and lives in the forest where Matt Caldwell “disappeared” and turned into a Dexter Morgan victim. Amid the law enforcement investigation, Dexter’s attempting to re-connect with Harrison (after dumping him with Hannah in Argentina), despite the better judgment of Debra, and of course, he drops a clunker of a declaration with “You got big.” For his part, Harrison seems as well adjusted as he could possibly be, having been raised by a poison-happy serial killer and discovering that his own dad willingly abandoned him and also feared that Harrison could harbor “dark tendencies.” Honestly at this point, I feel like Dexter could have confessed his own serial-killer status to Harrison, and the kid would not be too shocked. I figure that he’s seen some sh*t after living with Hannah during his formative years, and he has to realize that an alias did not happen for no good reason.
The Dexter-Harrison relationship, as ill-advised as it seems, is actually rather sweet. You can see Dexter hoping that he can become like Harry and raise his son, keep him alive, etc. Dexter finally comes clean about a few vague things like “demons” and how he didn’t want to corrupt the “sweet, smart, trusting little boy with a huge heart.” And Dexter’s visibly affected by news of Hannah’s death, although fortunately, that moment doesn’t go overboard. It needed to be a believable amount of emotion, and the writers reeled things in appropriately. As of now, Harrison may or may not accept his dad’s explanation of abandoning him because he felt “lost.” What choice does the kid have, though? In the meantime, Iron Lake now has a new high school student who had a pet called “Vincent Van Goat.” Anything is truly possible here.
Showtime
– Ghost Debra is simply the best: I know not everyone was a fan of her during the O.G. show, but I love her even more now. She’s balls-out crazy, shattering windows and making Dexter swallow a bullet and go into freak-out screaming mode in his truck. She’s maniacally laughing and taunting the hell of out of Dexter as he clumsily tries to clean up his messy return to murder. Somehow, Dead Deb is a juicier role than Alive Deb ever was, and honestly, he deserves all the jeers that she’s giving him after that watery grave.
And then there’s this disturbing development…
– Who’s the kidnapper? There’s a side plot that hasn’t melded with the bigger arcs of the show yet, but we saw a young girl being held captive, although she didn’t figure out the dire nature of her situation (being locked in a hotel-like room and recorded on camera) until later in the episode. Absolutely no clues reveal who’s watching her, and this all feels meant to distract us from the larger purpose of Dexter becoming reacquainted with both Harrison and his Dark Passenger. All we can do there is wait for more developments to unfurl and appreciate the “Storm Of F*ck” for what it is: a much cooler storm that that damn hurricane could ever hope to be.
Well, Steve Bannon won’t be side-eyeing Marjorie Taylor Greene on his “War Room” podcast anytime soon because, Steve Bannon is actually under arrest by the FBI. The former Trump chief strategist turned himself in at the FBI Washington Field Office on Monday following multiple contempt of charges for ignoring the subpoena from the House committee that’s investigating the January 6 insurrection. Upon his arrival at Arrest City, the scene was remarkable. Bannon (who has freely admitted that he did, in fact, help to plot the failed MAGA coup) looked quite pleased with himself.
Bannon also uncharacteristically looked as though he’d even washed his hair for the occasion, which should give James Carville more fodder for commentary. Oh hey, and this very unsubtle “Coup Plotter’ sign lingered in the background.
Getty Image
As CNN’s Jim Acosta and The Daily Beast’s Zachary Petrizzo both reported on Twitter, Bannon showed up (and he was indeed smiling) while a protestor brandished this sign.
Bannon arrives to turn himself in for arraignment. A protester appears to have a “coup plotter” sign behind him. pic.twitter.com/VbDnbPPwOW
No word on whether protestor thinks “coup plotter” is a bad thing or not, but one thing is certain; you can put Steve Bannon in prison, but you can’t take away his air of suave sophistication. https://t.co/sbhyYJ0i54
— Patrick Forgot The Scary Halloween Name Sullivan (@SullyInStLouie) November 15, 2021
Here’s some footage from the scene (courtesy of CNN’s Manu Raju):
Christeson’s been known to brandish signs of this styling and has been tweeting about the “coup attempt,” and over the weekend, he celebrated (with a hamburger photo) a milestone moment: Trump selling the Trump International Hotel (to an owner that will surely change the building’s name).
Whether well coordinated or not, it was undeniably a coup attempt by Trump. https://t.co/UorTTvqgJZ
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