Category: News

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the postseason with expectations of defending their championship, but due to a spate of injuries to high-profile players, a tough matchup in the 2-7 series with the Phoenix Suns, and a handful of other factors, the team was sent home at the conclusion of the first round.

Figuring out where the team goes from here is the No. 1 job of every single decision-maker in the front office. There could, theoretically, be a path forward that just involves getting healthy and having the kind of offseason they did not get last year. Or, there is a path forward that involves hitting the reset button, which seems to be the preferred path forward for one Lakers legend/ex-executive.

Magic Johnson, in one of his delightful Twitter posts, made clear that he believed general manager Rob Pelinka has a whole heck of a lot of work to do over the coming months.

Now, Johnson isn’t necessarily wrong, but considering that he was, quite literally, hired alongside Pelinka to return the Lakers to glory, but abruptly resigned during a game in 2019. It got to the point that Johnson straight up accused Pelinka of spreading rumors about him, which was a thing he cited for his resignation (Pelinka has denied this).

Twitter is not real life, but what happens on the social media platform can have a big impact on the rest of the world. Determining whether it’s causation or correlation is tough sometimes, but one could certainly argue that Russell Crowe boxing a movie critic between the ears on Twitter may have gotten us another Master and Commander movie.

Deadline reported on Friday that a sequel to the 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World movie is on the way, which may make a dad in your life extremely excited. According to the report, A Monster Calls writer Patrick Ness will adapt the script, which will be another movie based on the book series of the same name.

Since the original was part of a big book series, the idea was always to adapt other books in to films, but another film never got into position to move forward. Sources say this film would be based on the first book in the series, which shows a young Aubrey when he is given his first command and also explores how his friendship with his naval surgeon, Stephen Maturin (played by Bettany in the original) begins. Since this would be set in the early days of Aubrey, its also likely they would have new talent playing Aubrey and Maturin as well.

The news comes a few months after Crowe himself defended Master and Commander from a viral tweet that criticized the film and its director by describing it as a movie that could cure pandemic sleep issues. Crowe’s response called it a movie for adults and raved about director Peter Weirs, calling him “brilliant” and scolding the critic to his 2.7 million followers.

While the description from Deadline makes it sound like Crowe won’t be necessary in the second one, it’s safe to say he will be eager to see what happens with the franchise next. And all the people who made Master and Commander trend on Twitter in the wake of his tweet will certainly be excited about another film in the franchise.

The Gangs Of London (Sunday, AMC 10:00 p.m.) — Fans of the beloved Peaky Blinders, as well, should pay attention because this series makes Peaky seem like a pleasant walk in London’s Hyde Park. Warring gangs and a power vacuum and a city on its knees are only part of the attraction here. The rest is down to character-based writing and a wonderful cast that embodies a decidedly unglamorous take on warring criminal elements, all of which will prove to be addictive for anyone who loves The Sopranos or any of Marty Scorsese’s mob pictures. The series finale sees Elliot make a future-defining choice while old scores must be settled and new alliances emerge.

These top streaming picks make excellent appetizers:

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (Warner Bros. film on HBO Max) — The Devil’s simultaneously coming to a living room or theater near you for this third The Conjuring movie, as the second-highest-grossing franchise (James Wan can’t stop) roars back. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as paranormal dream-team Lorraine and Ed Warren, and this time, the story’s ripped from the headlines. As the film’s title indicates, this case revolves around a 1980s murder case, in which a defendant claimed that the Devil, you know, made him kill and other unspeakable things.

Sweet Tooth: Season 1 (Netflix series) — Team Downey (Robert Jr. and Susan) brings us this awe-inspiring story based upon a comic-book by creator Jeff Lemire, who whipped up a post-apocalyptic fairytale about what happens when a great sickness (which is poorly dealt with by humans) ends with a miracle. In this case, this would be the appearance of “hybrids,” babies who are born half-human and half-animal, and we’ll meet a young deer-boy, Gus, (Christian Convery), who teams up with a reluctant protector, Tommy Jepperd (Nonso Anozie), for a cross-country quest. The comic has been described as “Mad Max Meets Bambi,” and Will Forte also plays a pivotal role. You’re in for a real (sweet) treat if you surrender to this adventure.

We Are Lady Parts: Season 1 (Peacock series) — A Muslim female post-punk band called Lady Parts looks for a lead guitarist in this subversive series, which follows the ups and downs of the group as they seek a real gig. A geeky, hard-sciences Ph.D. recruit named Amina Hussain ends up being the unlikely lucky lady to pick up the ax, and she’s soon swept up into the group’s anarchic energy. Naturally, Amina’s caught between two worlds, that of her conservative friends and the irresistible lure of the band’s joyful spirit. Together, they’re fearless, rowdy, and sexual and every ultra-religious family’s nightmare. As a show, it’s silly and irreverent and inspiring; for sure, you’ve never seen women like quite this on your TV screen.

And back to the scheduled programming here:

Pause With Sam Jay (Friday, HBO 9:00 p.m.) — The Emmy-nominated SNL writer aims to revamp the late-night talk show format with each episode taking place at Sam’s apartment, where she’s throwing a party. Get ready for some feisty conversations and, hopefully, a sense of understanding between those who hold different perspectives.

A Black Lady Sketch Show (Friday, HBO 11:00 p.m.) — The fast-paced, quick-witted narrative series returns with loads of celebrity guests, but of course, the sketches all happen by the grace of the core cast, including Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, and Gabrielle Dennis with Issa Rae executive producing,

Fear the Walking Dead (Sunday, AMC 9:00 p.m.) — Here we go with the beached submarine becoming ground central for a pivotal development while Teddy’s plan must be stopped, and Morgan and his allies must save the day.

In Treatment (Sunday, HBO 9:00 p.m.) — Eladio discovers his deep connection to Jeremy, a patient cannot handle a compliment, and Brooke helps Colin realize something valuable about his development and authenticity.

The Chi (Sunday, Showtime 9:00 p.m.) — Community protection is the name of the game with Douda, Tracy, and Trig joining forces over the issue.

Black Monday (Sunday, Showtime 9:55 p.m.) — Don Cheadle’s Mo Monroe (and his coke-snorting ways) keep going strong with a big announcement while Dawn deals with her parole officer.

Flatbush Misdemeanors (Sunday, Showtime 10:25 p.m.) — Kevin and Dan must help a neighbor in need, and they decide that a protest is the way to go. Elsewhere, Dan’s got anxiety issue over a discussion with Jess.

Ziwe (Sunday, Showtime 10:53 p.m.) — Ziwe Fumudoh’s former status as a Desus & Mero writer will be no shocker for anyone who catches her new variety series. This week, Ziwe digs into immigration policy with guest Julio Torres.

Here are some more fresh streaming picks:

Bo Burnham: Inside (Netflix stand-up special) — Bo Burnham set out to do the nearly impossible: to be funny during a very unfunny time. As such, he’s offering up his general brand of existentialism but with much more rawness. We’ve all felt isolated over the past year or so, but Burnham feels it deeply, and it shows. As such, this special feels bittersweet while nailing the reality that we’ve all experienced, while mixing tragedy and comedy and everything in between. In addition, this episode was largely (and now, relatably) filmed in one room within his home, which only adds to how his audience is ready to embrace everything that Burnham is selling.

Lisey’s Story (Apple TV+ limited series) — There seemingly cannot be enough Stephen King TV adaptations out there, and this project presents the story of a widow, once married to a legendary novelist, and who is rediscovering repressed memories while cleaning out his desk. Because she needs even more nightmarish curveballs thrown her way, Lisey must also fend off a stalker fan of her husband, and there are (naturally) going to be some otherworldly shenanigans afoot.

The Mosquito Coast (Apple TV+ series) — It’s season finale time for Justin Theroux in this adaptation of Paul Theroux (yes, Paul is Justin’s actual uncle) novel previously brought to life in the mid-1980s with Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and River Phoenix. The series itself doesn’t match up to the book or film’s tackling of consumerism as much as it wants to be like Breaking Bad (yet forgot the most important ingredient). Also, Justin Theroux’s character, Allie Fox, is an eccentric, overbearing, and eventually psychotic patriarch who drags his family to Mexico, so get ready for plenty of tense moments.

Dom: Season 1 (Amazon Prime series) — This crime drama hails from Brazil with subtitles, but there’s a lot of Ozark and Sons of Anarchy vibes on display to make a non-dubbed effort worth the watch. Dom revolves around a middle-class Rio de Janeiro boy, Pedro, who falls into the lucrative realm of cocaine and eventually rises toward the top (or sinks toward the bottom, depending on one’s perspective) of the criminal underworld. It’s all based on a true story of the gang-related exploits that dominated the country’s aughts tabloids, given the juicy reality of Pedro’s father working for police intelligence, and yes, one should expect the lines of morality to go grey here. Dom‘s also a high-adrenaline adventure, so don’t watch this one while hoping to relax.

Hacks (HBO Max series premiere) — Jean Smart’s not-so-quiet domination of recent prestige TV shows (Fargo, Watchmen, Mare of Easttown, Legion) has finally culminated with this leading-lady turn in a role she was arguably meant to play. Hacks hails from executive producer Michael Schur and has three Broad City alums in the writers’ room, so get ready for a (Las Vegas) buffet of complex female characters. Smart portrays a legendary comedian who forges a “dark mentorship” to a 20-something newcomer.

For many, Michael Keaton’s campy-yet-cool Batman was the first iteration of the character they’d seen grace silver screen, and while the arguments over which actor ultimately did it best are as ceaseless as the Marvel vs. DC debate, there’s no question that Keaton’s portrayal remains one of the most iconic. Needless to say, when rumors emerged regarding the actor’s return to the DC Cinematic Universe, fans were thrilled. The rumors were ultimately confirmed on April 19 when Keaton’s agency told The Wrap that the actor would be reprising his iconic role as Batman for the upcoming DC film The Flash. On June 4, The Flash director Andy Muschietti took to Instagram to share a new image from the set — an image fans quickly realized was strikingly similar to the rubbery get-up Keaton donned in Batman Returns.

While the suit is assuredly different from the one Keaton wore in Batman Returns, the yellow, indented logo and U-shaped groove directly underneath are nearly identical. In addition, the grooves leading from the collar bones to the chest symbol are in the same places his cowl and cloak would attach to the body of the suit. It seems undeniable this picture is the first image of Keaton’s look from the upcoming movie, but the suit — and Keaton’s role in the film — raises some big questions, like how is it possible for both Keaton and Affleck’s Batmen to exist within the same movie, and what does that blood splatter mean for his fate in the series?

Much like Barry Allen (aka The Flash), let’s jump a bit back in time. In 2011, DC Comics printed a mini-series called Flashpoint — a saga following Allen that would come to be pivotal and defining to the character. In Flashpoint, Barry Allen faces the consequences for traveling back in time and trying to prevent his greatest nemesis, Reverse-Flash, from killing his mother. When he did so, he pulled the entire Speed Force (the universe’s cosmic force that grants all the speedsters their powers), and therefore shattered the timeline. As a result, much of what we know about the DC Universe is quite a bit different. Barry is powerless, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are now fierce conquerors in war against one another, Superman doesn’t exist, and Batman is an entirely new person, literally.

In Flashpoint, Bruce Wayne’s father, Thomas, is Batman. You see, instead of Bruce’s parents being the ones gunned down in Crime Alley, Bruce was the one who was murdered, causing Bruce’s father to become a revenge-thirsty anti-hero and his mother to become The Joker. Ultimately, Barry has to work with Thomas to regain his abilities and make the world right again, which is much easier said than done. And as to not completely spoil Flashpoint, because you should definitely read it, the ending results in a brand new DC Universe, in which three separate existences are merged together.

The upcoming Flash movie is touted as the DCCU’s own version of Flashpoint, meaning some of this madness is surely going to make its way into the 2022 film. During last year’s DC FanDome, an event focused around updating and hyping fans up for everything DC is currently working on, The Flash producer Barbara Muschietti further confirmed this, stating, “It’s going to be fun and exciting and there are a lot of DC characters in it. Flash is the superhero of this film because he is the bridge between all of these characters and timelines. And in a way, it restarts everything and doesn’t forget anything.” But, to avoid getting too wrapped up in Barry’s part in all this, let’s pivot back to the Batmen.

If it follows Flashpoint, three timelines are merged. Coincidentally, DC is working with three Batmen: Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, and newcomer Robert Pattinson. It seems very likely this event could be a way to permanently end the journey for two of them, most likely Keaton and Affleck. Based on the fact that Keaton’s new suit is so similar to his in Batman Returns, it doesn’t seem like the studio is going to go full Flashpoint and make him Thomas Wayne, but based on the blood on the suit it does seem possible that they could make Keaton’s Batman one that became increasingly violent. Although, another but albeit unlikely thing that could be revealed, is that Robert Pattinson’s Batman is Thomas Wayne, which would explain his hyperviolence we see in the trailer. If this is the case however, the state in which they are going to leave the DC Universe in after The Flash movie is incredibly up in the air.

A final fun fact worth noting is the blood splatter on his suit parallels the one on the Watchmen logo, another DC property. While I don’t think this means we can expect to see Rorschach popping up in The Flash, it might represent some parallels in the story, primarily the question of who holds those with power accountable. As of right now, all we have are screenshots and speculation, but here’s hoping we get some answers in 2022, when both The Batman and The Flash hit theaters.

English actress, singer, and songwriter Cynthia Erivo is getting set to release her debut studio album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, later this summer, and to set the tone, she’s shared the soulful lead single, “The Good,” along with a heartwrenching music video. The video depicts the ups and downs of a relationship between two women as the potential EGOT winner sings about only wanting to remember the good in the aftermath of a relationship’s dissolution.

In a press release announcing the upcoming album, Erivo explained the title and concept behind the project. “In storytelling, chapter one and verse one is the way you always begin, and because I believe I’m a storyteller, that’s what I wanted to do with my music,” she said. “That’s what this is about, just starting [and revealing] the human parts of me that you don’t often get to see.”

As odd as it may seem to view the upcoming project as a debut, much less one telling a story about someone who’s been a star of stage and film for the last decade (again, she’s only an Oscar away from the EGOT, and to be honest, she’s only like one role away from that), as we’ve only gotten to know her through her roles (which have included Harriet Tubman and Aretha Franklin), there’s a lot to be said for an introductory album as she pursues a music career to rival her acting one.

Watch Cynthia Erivo’s “The Good” video above. Pre-save Ch. 1 Vs. 1, out 9/17 on Verve, here.

It’s been four years since HBO’s magnificent The Leftovers wrapped up, and fans of the show are still debating exactly what happened in the series finale. I will not give my theory because a) I don’t want to spoil the episode for anyone who hasn’t watched (it’s one of the best series finales of all-time), and b) everyone is entitled to their own opinion, as star Justin Theroux explained in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

“One time, I came down on one side or the other about the story, and then I regretted it. So I don’t want anyone to Google what my answer would be,” he said (too late). “But in the same vein as Matt being, ‘Let people have their stories,’ I very much enjoy hearing both sides… I feel like a bit of a jerk for ever giving my opinion on it because I don’t want to deprive anyone else of their story and I don’t want to sway anyone either way.”

Tfw you don’t give your opinion on The Leftovers finale because you don’t want to deprive anyone else of their story and you don’t want to sway anyone either way.

Theroux, who made a cameo in Joker, was also asked about the rumors that he’ll appear in the sequel to the Best Picture nominee. “All I can say is I haven’t spoken to [director Todd Phillips] in forever, and I have not approached him about doing anything for Joker. I won’t say any more than that,” he replied. “Unless he has some brilliant way to weave in that small character, that would really be shoehorning a character into the movie that probably doesn’t need to be there.” That’s the Joker I was telling you about.

(Via the Hollywood Reporter)

Jessie Ware was one of the leaders of 2020’s disco revival with her excellent album What’s Your Pleasure?. Last month, she announced that she’s returning with a “Platinum Pleasure Edition” of the album, which adds eight more songs to the album. The expanded album comes out next week, and now Ware has shared “Hot N Heavy,” which she says will be the final advance look at the deluxe album before its release.

The track is a collaboration with SG Lewis, and like the songs that preceded, it’s a delightful slice of dancefloor-ready disco. Ware says of the song, “Sun’s out so come and get Hot N Heavy with @SGLewis_ and I. You’ve all asked for this collab for ages, so we did it! Hot N Heavy out now, last taste of Platinum Pleasure before it’s yours on June 11th.”

She also previously said of What’s Your Pleasure? (Platinum Pleasure Edition), “I had such an amazing response to the What’s Your Pleasure? record that I didn’t want the lights to go up and the party to be over just yet!”

Listen to “Hot N Heavy” above.

What’s Your Pleasure? (Platinum Pleasure Edition) is out 6/11 via PMR Records/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records. Pre-order it here.

Things are getting weird in the Trump camp.

First came the news that Facebook would be upholding their ban of the former president’s social media account for another two years and now, sources are claiming top advisers to Trump are having to “talk him off the ledge” when it comes to rumors that he thinks he’ll somehow retake the presidency from Joe Biden at some point this year. We know, that sentence is A LOT so we’ll break it down.

First, the social media exile: Trump had previously been banned by Facebook indefinitely after the site determined he’d encouraged and incited violence during the Jan. 6th insurrection on Capitol Hill. An Oversight Board was formed last month to go over Trump’s case and determine if the ban felt in line with Facebook’s policies. They upheld the decision and this week, Nick Clegg, VP of Global Affairs at Facebook, shared more details on Trump’s suspension while clarifying that the former president would be locked out of the platform for two years — the harshest penalty under the company’s new protocols aimed at ensuring free speech while keeping its community safe. Other sites like Twitter have permanently banned Trump, but this decision is still a big political blow for his camp, as some believed Facebook might be more lenient in their punishment. With Trump’s blog also shuttered, this means there aren’t really any social media platforms he can use to connect with his base.

Whether the Facebook ban is influencing Trump’s current mental spiral, we just don’t know, but according to CNN’s Jim Acosta, the MAGA messiah is having a really hard time fading into obscurity down at Mar-A-Lago. Acosta revealed that Trump is beginning to believe some truly disturbing conspiracy theories that posit he may be able to retake the presidency sometime this year.

“What he’s been doing over the last several weeks is reaching out to advisers and allies, and they basically have been trying to talk him off the ledge,” Acosta told “OutFront” anchor Erin Burnett on Friday morning’s show. “Trump has been asking, I’m told by one source, ‘What do you think of this theory?’ And what this one adviser told me is that he’s been told it’s not true.”

Acosta clarified that his source told him Trump probably doesn’t believe this plan to re-take the White House will work, but he’s so desperate to win back some of his political power that he’s still reaching out to people to see what can be done.

“Trump has listened to all kinds of things these days, and he is trying to grasp at straws to see if there is some way to get back into the White House. So it does seem that the former president is not letting this lie,” Acosta continued. “He’s reaching out to people, and people at this point are trying to talk him back into the real world, which is, of course, where he has not been residing lately, because he’s been believing in and investing in these far-fetched ideas.”

Yeah, that doesn’t sound like a person who should be in charge of anything.

Coming off the longest layoff of his professional career as the world grappled with COVID-19, Arjan Bhullar was anxious to return to the cage for his showdown with Brandon Vera. When he left the UFC, turning down an offer with the promotion to sign with ONE Championship in 2019, he did so with an eye on making history as the first Indian-origin fighter to win a high-level MMA title.

“I went through a range of emotions (throughout the pandemic), but just wanting to compete, not taking anything for granted anymore,” Bhullar told Uproxx Sports. “Anytime, anything could happen and this could be over. So (the layoff) really rejuvenated me for this next stretch of competition.”

That focus and energy was on full display in mid-May, when Bhullar used just two rounds to knock out Vera and claim the heavyweight crown.

“I’m huge on legacy,” Bhullar said. “(Becoming the first Indian world champion) will remain forever and ever. It’s a lifetime of work. My family, myself, my coaches and teammates, all throughout the years, just a culmination of a great body of work.”

Bhullar admitted part of his decision to join ONE was the expectation that things could happen “quicker” with ONE than it might have with the UFC. The 35 year old needed only one fight — a 2019 decision victory over Mauro Cerilli — to earn his title shot. But now, with the title in tow, Bhullar is in the driver’s seat of his own legacy.

“The structure at ONE, they value their guys. They have a lot of the same Asian values I grew up with,” Bhullar said. “And I wanted to be able to create superheroes. I wanted to have my own brand, telling these values, what I’m about and all of those things. And I’ve done a lot with ONE over the last couple of years. I don’t have to be something I’m not. I don’t have to make up a gimmick or say things I wouldn’t otherwise say. I want to bring honor to my family and respect to my community. I carry a mace that represents my wrestling lineage. And I wear a turban and that represents my faith and culture.”

While Bhullar has yet to nail down his next opponent in ONE, he has large ambitions that range from winning a pro wrestling championship to fighting some of the all-time greats in MMA.

“I want to (be a professional wrestler and fight in MMA),” Bhullar said. “I have done some training with Jinder Mahal in the past. We had conversations (about pro wrestling) even before the Vera fight. We’re gonna get on the same page as far as how we move forward.”

Bhullar has a clause in his contract that gives him the opportunity to test his skills in the squared circle, with options between the likes of WWE and AEW.

“I never go where the money is, but I like to be shown respect and appreciation. It’s about relationships and what makes sense long-term,” Bhullar said. “But the perfect scenario for me is winning a pro wrestling title, where we have both industries by the throat.”

While ONE’s relationship with TNT could theoretically open doors to AEW with some crossover programming, Bhullar is open to either primetime promotion.

As far as opponents go, Bhullar wants a shot at Jake Haggar or Bobby Lashley, and it doesn’t matter whether that fight is inside the cage or squared circle. But if we’re talking about strictly inside the Octagon, Bhullar can envision a shot against Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones. That may be even more realistic of an option than even Bhullar thought months ago after ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong fueled the fire of a mega event featuring ONE and UFC fighters.

“I want to get Stipe,” Bhullar said. “There’s some history with my guy DC that I’d like to exact some revenge. He’s supposed to be the heavyweight GOAT, so I would love that. I was a part of every one of those camps with DC and I didn’t want to see him go out (with a loss).”

For Bhullar, whatever is future looks like, it’s all about creating a legacy he can be proud of.

“I’ve trained with the best all-time with Cain (Velasquez) and DC,” Bhullar said. “Legacy is huge for me, so when it’s all said and done, I just want to look back and have a smile on my face.”

A few weeks ago, The Linda Lindas, a band of teen and pre-teen punk rockers, went viral with a performance of “Racist Sexist Boy.” It turns out that was more than just a big internet moment: Not long after it happened, the girls signed to Epitaph Records, and last night, they were on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On the show, they turned in a raucous performance of their famous chat and also chatted with Kimmel.

Kimmel asked for the backstory behind the song and 10-year-old drummer and singer Mila said, “The backstory is that a boy from school told me that his dad told him to stay away from Chinese people, and I told him that I was Chinese and he backed away from me.” 13-year-old bassist and singer Eloise added, “There’s also a lot of sexism around boys our age. […] So we were really angry and we decided to write a song about it.”

When the band signed with Epitaph, they shared some other statements about the song and its impact. Eloise said, “We knew the song would get a good reaction, but we never imagined this. Even though we started the band for fun, now it feels we can actually make a difference with what we’re doing.” Lucia also noted, “People have reached out to us from all over the world — we get a lot of messages from little girls, but we also get messages from grandmothers. We always hope that the music we put out will inspire other young girls, but we also want it to make anyone feel like they can do anything, no matter what age they are.”

Watch The Linda Lindas on Kimmel above.