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Usually international tournaments don’t have two teams with a real shot at winning a gold medal in the same group. Fortunately for basketball fans, Group H at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup provides exactly that, as two international juggernauts sit at the top of the group. France enters the tournament this year as the No. 5 team in the world and the defending bronze medalists in the tournament. Canada comes in at No. 15, but with a number of NBA players on the roster, the team has every reason to believe it will outperform its ranking and compete gold.

On the outside looking in of that top-2 are Latvia, which enter the tournament without the services of star big man Kristaps Porzingis, and Lebanon. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where either team is able to knock off the French or the Canadians, but international play is weird, because all it takes is one off night for everything to change.

Here are the odds to win the group entering the tournament (via DraftKings).

Canada -110
France -110
Latvia +2000
Lebanon +15000

Today, we’re look through the most prominent players, the schedule, and the games to watch in Group H.

Players to Watch

R.J. Barrett (Canada): With Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins missing the tournament, Barrett’s role on the Canadian team is incredibly important. Canada has a no-doubt No. 1 option (see below!) and a number of very good NBA players, but Barrett is the guy who could help push them over the top with the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Canadians already have sky high aspirations at the World Cup, and Barrett being the best version of himself would make them even more attainable.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada): One of the two players who earned an All-NBA First Team nod last season and are playing this summer, Gilgeous-Alexander very well might be the best player in the entire tournament. His international exploits are not nearly as well-known as those of Luka Doncic, as this will mark his first major international tournament with his home country. Murray missing out means the ball will be in his hands even more, and it seems a safe bet to say he’ll deliver.

Evan Fournier (France): Things could be going better for Fournier with his NBA career, but he’s continued to be a menace for the French when he suits up for his country. It came in a narrow loss, but Fournier dropped 29 points on Australia, and his ability to provide an offensive spark is part of what has made the team so good over the years. He and Nando De Colo are a veteran, battle tested backcourt that should give France a shot against anyone.

Rudy Gobert (France): The French frontcourt could look very different next year, as Victor Wembanyama has made clear he wants to play in the Olympics and Joel Embiid is eligible to join the team as it goes for a gold medal in Paris. Gobert, meanwhile, has been a constant for France as it has constantly put forth impressive showings over the years. He’s an experienced, decorated international player and someone whose size and physicality could very easily give opposing teams trouble.

Davis Bertans (Latvia): It is hard to imagine a scenario where Canada and France aren’t moving on in the group. The most likely way that scenario comes to fruition involves Bertans getting scorching hot in a game against either of them, the Latvians knocking them off, and taking care of business against Lebanon. With Kristaps Porzingis out, the Thunder forward will take on even more responsibility in trying to get them out of the group.

Schedule/TV Info (all times EST)

Aug. 25
Latvia vs. Lebanon, 5:00 a.m., ESPN+
Canada vs. France, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 27
Lebanon vs. Canada, 5:30 a.m., ESPN+
France vs. Latvia, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 29
Lebanon vs. France, 5:30 a.m., ESPN+
Canada vs. Latvia, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Game to Watch

Canada vs. France: This is not just the best game in the group. It’s very possible the showdown between the Canadians and the French is the best game in the entire tournament, as the two teams are legitimate candidates to win a gold medal behind rosters with an abundance of NBA talent. It tips off at a very reasonable time for those of us in the States, and there’s even a chance that this ends up being a preview of the gold medal game a little farther down the road. This one is going to be fun.

The 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup will get underway this Friday, August 25, with games being played in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia for this year’s event. As is the case at most every international basketball event, Team USA is the heavy favorite at -125 to win it all, but the Americans finished seventh at the 2019 World Cup (where Spain beat Argentina in the finals) and are bringing a young team without much of any international experience, meaning the outcome of this year’s tournament is far from a certainty.

As such, a number of teams have hopes of making a run at the World Cup crown, while plenty of others are looking to take a stride forward with the best result in their country’s recent basketball history. In Group D, there are a pair of European sides led by NBA big men looking to make a solid run in the tournament as Lithuania, led by Jonas Valanciunas, and Montenegro, led by Nikola Vucevic, are the favorites to reach the second group round. They are joined by Egypt and Mexico to round out the group, who are longer shots to come out of the group (odds via DraftKings).

Lithuania -250
Montenegro +300
Mexico +900
Egypt +4000

Here we’ll look at the players to watch, full schedule for the group, and biggest game from Group D.

Players to Watch

Ehab Amin (Egypt): The Egyptian squad doesn’t feature any household names here stateside, but Amin (listed some places as Ehab Saleh) was their scoring leader in 11 qualifying game appearances, averaging 14.5 points per game in the African qualifiers. In the fronctourt, it’s Amr Abdelhalim who is their most potent scoring threat, as he scored 42 in their final qualifier game, a 97-77 loss to South Sudan.

Rokas Jokubaitis (Lithuania): While Lithuania’s national team is known for its big men (in current form and historically), Jokubaitis leads the way in the backcourt. The 22-year-old point guard plays his club ball for Barcelona and is their best table setter, averaging seven assists per game in his two qualifier appearances and notching 10 points and seven assists in their warmup against Finland. If Lithuania is going to make a deep run in the tournament, they will need some backcourt play to match their frontcourt strength and Jokubaitis is the most likely one to deliver on that.

Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania): Lithuania, when at full strength, can deploy one of the best big man duos in the world with Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, but with the Kings star sitting out of the World Cup, it’s the Pelicans center that takes center stage. Valanciunas averaged 14.5 points in his two qualifier appearances and had 21 points and 16 boards in tune-up action against Finland. He is a physical presence in the paint that will be difficult to handle for a lot of smaller teams, and in a tournament missing some of the biggest (literally) stars, that makes Lithuania a tough out.

Pako Cruz (Mexico): On a Mexico squad that can light it up from three (38 percent from deep in the FIBA Americas qualifiers), Cruz leads the way. He knocked down 46.3 percent of his threes on 8.4 attempts per game for Mexico in eight qualifier appearances, averaging 17 points per game to lead the team. If Mexico is going to emerge from a group filled with skilled big men, they’re going to need to get hot from deep and Cruz represents their most dangerous shooter.

Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro): The headliner for Montenegro is Vucevic, as the former All-Star who now plays in Chicago will lead the way in their quest for a berth in the second group stage (and potentially beyond). Vucevic will get to return to leading man status after having to take a tertiary role with the Bulls alongside Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, and it should be fun to see him get to operate in all of his preferred spots. It also could be a rejuvenating experience for him before what the Bulls hope to be a bounce back season in 2023-24.

Schedule/TV Info (all times EST)

Aug. 25
Mexico vs. Montenegro, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Egypt vs. Lithuania, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 27
Montenegro vs. Egypt, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Lithuania vs. Mexico, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 29
Egypt vs. Mexico, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Montenegro vs. Lithuania, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Game to Watch

Montenegro vs. Lithuania: The game that should decide the group based on pre-tournament expectations is also the final game of the group schedule on August 29. It will be a terrific matchup in the paint between Vucevic and Valanciunas that will be of intrigue to NBA fans, and should one of these teams have stumbled in an earlier game against Egypt or Mexico there could be even more on the line.

Usually international tournaments don’t have two teams with a real shot at winning a gold medal in the same group. Fortunately for basketball fans, Group H at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup provides exactly that, as two international juggernauts sit at the top of the group. France enters the tournament this year as the No. 5 team in the world and the defending bronze medalists in the tournament. Canada comes in at No. 15, but with a number of NBA players on the roster, the team has every reason to believe it will outperform its ranking and compete gold.

On the outside looking in of that top-2 are Latvia, which enter the tournament without the services of star big man Kristaps Porzingis, and Lebanon. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where either team is able to knock off the French or the Canadians, but international play is weird, because all it takes is one off night for everything to change.

Here are the odds to win the group entering the tournament (via DraftKings).

Canada -110
France -110
Latvia +2000
Lebanon +15000

Today, we’re look through the most prominent players, the schedule, and the games to watch in Group H.

Players to Watch

R.J. Barrett (Canada): With Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins missing the tournament, Barrett’s role on the Canadian team is incredibly important. Canada has a no-doubt No. 1 option (see below!) and a number of very good NBA players, but Barrett is the guy who could help push them over the top with the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Canadians already have sky high aspirations at the World Cup, and Barrett being the best version of himself would make them even more attainable.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada): One of the two players who earned an All-NBA First Team nod last season and are playing this summer, Gilgeous-Alexander very well might be the best player in the entire tournament. His international exploits are not nearly as well-known as those of Luka Doncic, as this will mark his first major international tournament with his home country. Murray missing out means the ball will be in his hands even more, and it seems a safe bet to say he’ll deliver.

Evan Fournier (France): Things could be going better for Fournier with his NBA career, but he’s continued to be a menace for the French when he suits up for his country. It came in a narrow loss, but Fournier dropped 29 points on Australia, and his ability to provide an offensive spark is part of what has made the team so good over the years. He and Nando De Colo are a veteran, battle tested backcourt that should give France a shot against anyone.

Rudy Gobert (France): The French frontcourt could look very different next year, as Victor Wembanyama has made clear he wants to play in the Olympics and Joel Embiid is eligible to join the team as it goes for a gold medal in Paris. Gobert, meanwhile, has been a constant for France as it has constantly put forth impressive showings over the years. He’s an experienced, decorated international player and someone whose size and physicality could very easily give opposing teams trouble.

Davis Bertans (Latvia): It is hard to imagine a scenario where Canada and France aren’t moving on in the group. The most likely way that scenario comes to fruition involves Bertans getting scorching hot in a game against either of them, the Latvians knocking them off, and taking care of business against Lebanon. With Kristaps Porzingis out, the Thunder forward will take on even more responsibility in trying to get them out of the group.

Schedule/TV Info (all times EST)

Aug. 25
Latvia vs. Lebanon, 5:00 a.m., ESPN+
Canada vs. France, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 27
Lebanon vs. Canada, 5:30 a.m., ESPN+
France vs. Latvia, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 29
Lebanon vs. France, 5:30 a.m., ESPN+
Canada vs. Latvia, 9:30 a.m., ESPN+

Game to Watch

Canada vs. France: This is not just the best game in the group. It’s very possible the showdown between the Canadians and the French is the best game in the entire tournament, as the two teams are legitimate candidates to win a gold medal behind rosters with an abundance of NBA talent. It tips off at a very reasonable time for those of us in the States, and there’s even a chance that this ends up being a preview of the gold medal game a little farther down the road. This one is going to be fun.

The 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup will get underway this Friday, August 25, with games being played in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia for this year’s event. As is the case at most every international basketball event, Team USA is the heavy favorite at -125 to win it all, but the Americans finished seventh at the 2019 World Cup (where Spain beat Argentina in the finals) and are bringing a young team without much of any international experience, meaning the outcome of this year’s tournament is far from a certainty.

As such, a number of teams have hopes of making a run at the World Cup crown, while plenty of others are looking to take a stride forward with the best result in their country’s recent basketball history. In Group D, there are a pair of European sides led by NBA big men looking to make a solid run in the tournament as Lithuania, led by Jonas Valanciunas, and Montenegro, led by Nikola Vucevic, are the favorites to reach the second group round. They are joined by Egypt and Mexico to round out the group, who are longer shots to come out of the group (odds via DraftKings).

Lithuania -250
Montenegro +300
Mexico +900
Egypt +4000

Here we’ll look at the players to watch, full schedule for the group, and biggest game from Group D.

Players to Watch

Ehab Amin (Egypt): The Egyptian squad doesn’t feature any household names here stateside, but Amin (listed some places as Ehab Saleh) was their scoring leader in 11 qualifying game appearances, averaging 14.5 points per game in the African qualifiers. In the fronctourt, it’s Amr Abdelhalim who is their most potent scoring threat, as he scored 42 in their final qualifier game, a 97-77 loss to South Sudan.

Rokas Jokubaitis (Lithuania): While Lithuania’s national team is known for its big men (in current form and historically), Jokubaitis leads the way in the backcourt. The 22-year-old point guard plays his club ball for Barcelona and is their best table setter, averaging seven assists per game in his two qualifier appearances and notching 10 points and seven assists in their warmup against Finland. If Lithuania is going to make a deep run in the tournament, they will need some backcourt play to match their frontcourt strength and Jokubaitis is the most likely one to deliver on that.

Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania): Lithuania, when at full strength, can deploy one of the best big man duos in the world with Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, but with the Kings star sitting out of the World Cup, it’s the Pelicans center that takes center stage. Valanciunas averaged 14.5 points in his two qualifier appearances and had 21 points and 16 boards in tune-up action against Finland. He is a physical presence in the paint that will be difficult to handle for a lot of smaller teams, and in a tournament missing some of the biggest (literally) stars, that makes Lithuania a tough out.

Pako Cruz (Mexico): On a Mexico squad that can light it up from three (38 percent from deep in the FIBA Americas qualifiers), Cruz leads the way. He knocked down 46.3 percent of his threes on 8.4 attempts per game for Mexico in eight qualifier appearances, averaging 17 points per game to lead the team. If Mexico is going to emerge from a group filled with skilled big men, they’re going to need to get hot from deep and Cruz represents their most dangerous shooter.

Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro): The headliner for Montenegro is Vucevic, as the former All-Star who now plays in Chicago will lead the way in their quest for a berth in the second group stage (and potentially beyond). Vucevic will get to return to leading man status after having to take a tertiary role with the Bulls alongside Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, and it should be fun to see him get to operate in all of his preferred spots. It also could be a rejuvenating experience for him before what the Bulls hope to be a bounce back season in 2023-24.

Schedule/TV Info (all times EST)

Aug. 25
Mexico vs. Montenegro, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Egypt vs. Lithuania, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 27
Montenegro vs. Egypt, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Lithuania vs. Mexico, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Aug. 29
Egypt vs. Mexico, 4:30 a.m., ESPN+
Montenegro vs. Lithuania, 8:30 a.m., ESPN+

Game to Watch

Montenegro vs. Lithuania: The game that should decide the group based on pre-tournament expectations is also the final game of the group schedule on August 29. It will be a terrific matchup in the paint between Vucevic and Valanciunas that will be of intrigue to NBA fans, and should one of these teams have stumbled in an earlier game against Egypt or Mexico there could be even more on the line.

When I ranked Starbucks’ full summer drinks lineup last week, I knew it was late, but I wasn’t under the impression that just one week later Starbucks would drop its fall drinks lineup. I thought for sure that Starbucks would at least wait until September (summer is still rolling!) before trying to force-feed us pumpkin spice. I mean c’mon, temperatures across the country are still sitting between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit — spicy autumnal flavors don’t taste right while you’re still wearing swim shorts, bikini tops, and cranking up the AC.

Well, season be damned, I’m determined to not be late this time — which is why I tried all four of Starbucks’ new fall drinks, including the legendary Pumpkin Spice Latte, as well as the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and the brand new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, and the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, all on drop day. Beginning today, you can roll up to a Starbucks nationwide and grab any of these fall-flavored treats. But how many of them are actually worth the pull-up?

We’re going to break it down in this in-depth review and ranking of each flavor. Happy Halloween and we hope you have a great Thanksgiving (see how f*cking weird this is — IT’S TOO EARLY!). Anyway, let’s dive in.

4. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

Cinnamon and nutmeg dominate the flavor here with a soft silky mouthfeel and mild roasted coffee notes on the backend. Truly, it was hard to name even one of these drinks the least essential, they’re all pretty solid, but if I had to pick (which I do) it’s this one.

Is it possible that Starbucks’ fall drinks lineup is its strongest? I think so. When the bottom tastes this good it’s a testament to the quality of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice sauce.

The Bottom Line:

If your go-to drink is already a cold brew coffee, definitely give this drink a taste, it has a nice cinnamon-forward and that familiar silky cold brew texture.

3. Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

Buttery and toasty with some tart green apple notes, a hint of sweetness, and a rich and creamy body. The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a brand new drink in the Starbucks lineup and I think it’s a great addition that reflects the season, without tasting like something you’re used to.

It’s the only drink on the fall menu that doesn’t rely on pumpkin so if you have no love for pumpkin spice but still want something that captures the vibe of the fall season, this is your drink.

The Bottom Line:

Tart, fruity, rich, and creamy, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is tailor-made for people who aren’t interested in pumpkin spice but still want a fruity finish to their iced espresso.

2. Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

A soft and creamy body makes way for a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice and vanilla with a hint of earthy black tea bitterness. It tastes like autumn in a cup. The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte is another brand-new drink in the Starbucks lineup and I was very very close to giving this drink the top spot.

The only reason I didn’t was because I feel like this drink is just a bit too sweet and creamy so much so that I would consider adding a shot of espresso in here to balance things out. Without a doubt, that hack would make this drink my number one pick, but I didn’t feel it was fair to hack a drink and name it number one, so it’ll have to live in second place.

The Bottom Line:

Add a shot of espresso and you’ll deepen the flavor and complexity of this drink, making it the best Starbucks Fall menu drink, hands down. With the stock recipe, it’s very good but a bit too sweet for me to say it’s the best.

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

The Pumpkin Spice Latte tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass (or in this case, paper cup). It has a perfect balance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice flavors that start sweet and end spicy. The espresso helps to balance out the sweetness and add bold roasted coffee bitterness. The strength of this drink is its balance, it’s never too sweet, too spicy, or too bitter.

Does it feel incredibly lame to name it the best drink on Starbucks’ fall menu? Yes, but I think it just might be Starbucks’ best drink, period. The drink is available hot as well as iced, so if you feel weird drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte when it’s still f*cking 85 degrees in the dog days of summer, get it iced!

The Bottom Line:

There is a reason pumpkin spice-flavored drinks are even a thing, and this is that reason. Starbucks kicked off the trend and they’re still the best to do it.

Find your nearest Starbucks here.

Adult Swim has officially announced the premiere date for Rick and Morty Season 7, which will feature the first episodes where the main characters are not voiced by Justin Roiland.

In true Rick and Morty fashion, the show is already leaning into Roiland being replaced even if the circumstances are significantly dark. Roiland was arrested for felony domestic violence charges, but the charges were later dropped due to “insufficient evidence.” However, the arrest prompted reports of his alleged behind-the-scenes behavior, which included barely being involved in the show for years.

Rick and Morty Season 7 will premiere October 10, and the official synopsis doesn’t shy away from the character’s new voices. Via The The Hollywood Reporter:

Rick and Morty are back and sounding more like themselves than ever! It’s season seven, and the possibilities are endless: what’s up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to the high school?! Maybe not! But let’s find out! There’s probably less piss than last season. Rick and Morty, 100 years! Or at least until season 10!

Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen also released a statement touting the Season 7 premiere and praising the creative team that is now Roiland-free.

“Thanks to the talent of the entire show team, we can all enjoy 10 new episodes that yet again raise the bar for comedy and animation,” Ouweleen said. “This season proves that the geniuses at work on Rick and Morty are just getting started.”

Rick and Morty Season 7 premieres October 10 on Adult Swim.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

When I ranked Starbucks’ full summer drinks lineup last week, I knew it was late, but I wasn’t under the impression that just one week later Starbucks would drop its fall drinks lineup. I thought for sure that Starbucks would at least wait until September (summer is still rolling!) before trying to force-feed us pumpkin spice. I mean c’mon, temperatures across the country are still sitting between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit — spicy autumnal flavors don’t taste right while you’re still wearing swim shorts, bikini tops, and cranking up the AC.

Well, season be damned, I’m determined to not be late this time — which is why I tried all four of Starbucks’ new fall drinks, including the legendary Pumpkin Spice Latte, as well as the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and the brand new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, and the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, all on drop day. Beginning today, you can roll up to a Starbucks nationwide and grab any of these fall-flavored treats. But how many of them are actually worth the pull-up?

We’re going to break it down in this in-depth review and ranking of each flavor. Happy Halloween and we hope you have a great Thanksgiving (see how f*cking weird this is — IT’S TOO EARLY!). Anyway, let’s dive in.

4. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

Cinnamon and nutmeg dominate the flavor here with a soft silky mouthfeel and mild roasted coffee notes on the backend. Truly, it was hard to name even one of these drinks the least essential, they’re all pretty solid, but if I had to pick (which I do) it’s this one.

Is it possible that Starbucks’ fall drinks lineup is its strongest? I think so. When the bottom tastes this good it’s a testament to the quality of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice sauce.

The Bottom Line:

If your go-to drink is already a cold brew coffee, definitely give this drink a taste, it has a nice cinnamon-forward and that familiar silky cold brew texture.

3. Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

Buttery and toasty with some tart green apple notes, a hint of sweetness, and a rich and creamy body. The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a brand new drink in the Starbucks lineup and I think it’s a great addition that reflects the season, without tasting like something you’re used to.

It’s the only drink on the fall menu that doesn’t rely on pumpkin so if you have no love for pumpkin spice but still want something that captures the vibe of the fall season, this is your drink.

The Bottom Line:

Tart, fruity, rich, and creamy, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is tailor-made for people who aren’t interested in pumpkin spice but still want a fruity finish to their iced espresso.

2. Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

A soft and creamy body makes way for a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice and vanilla with a hint of earthy black tea bitterness. It tastes like autumn in a cup. The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte is another brand-new drink in the Starbucks lineup and I was very very close to giving this drink the top spot.

The only reason I didn’t was because I feel like this drink is just a bit too sweet and creamy so much so that I would consider adding a shot of espresso in here to balance things out. Without a doubt, that hack would make this drink my number one pick, but I didn’t feel it was fair to hack a drink and name it number one, so it’ll have to live in second place.

The Bottom Line:

Add a shot of espresso and you’ll deepen the flavor and complexity of this drink, making it the best Starbucks Fall menu drink, hands down. With the stock recipe, it’s very good but a bit too sweet for me to say it’s the best.

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Tasting Notes & Thoughts

The Pumpkin Spice Latte tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass (or in this case, paper cup). It has a perfect balance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice flavors that start sweet and end spicy. The espresso helps to balance out the sweetness and add bold roasted coffee bitterness. The strength of this drink is its balance, it’s never too sweet, too spicy, or too bitter.

Does it feel incredibly lame to name it the best drink on Starbucks’ fall menu? Yes, but I think it just might be Starbucks’ best drink, period. The drink is available hot as well as iced, so if you feel weird drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte when it’s still f*cking 85 degrees in the dog days of summer, get it iced!

The Bottom Line:

There is a reason pumpkin spice-flavored drinks are even a thing, and this is that reason. Starbucks kicked off the trend and they’re still the best to do it.

Find your nearest Starbucks here.

Although live entertainment has been back for two years, the industry is still being hampered by logistical issues, leading to the cancellations of a number of festivals this year, including Made In America, Kid Cudi’s Moon Man’s Landing, and Rolling Loud New York, among others.

The latest event to suffer this fate is the third edition of HER’s Lights On Festival, which has been canceled just one month before it was due to return to Mountain View, California’s Shoreline Amphitheatre. The festival, which was to have been headlined by Jazmine Sullivan and supported by Alina Baraz, Don Toliver, PartyNextDoor, Smino, and Syd in addition to rising Bay Area stars like Rexx Life Raj and Symba, was scheduled for September 16-17.

In a statement sent to the San Francisco Chronicle, a representative of the festival wrote, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lights On Festival will not take place this year. We sincerely appreciate and value the Lights On Festival community and look forward to returning with an incredible experience in 2024.” Refunds are expected to be processed automatically.

Lights On was previously held at the Concord Pavilion in 2019 and 2021, postponed in 2020, and was not held in 2022. It moved to the larger Shoreline Amphitheater this year to accommodate a larger fan turnout.

Adult Swim has officially announced the premiere date for Rick and Morty Season 7, which will feature the first episodes where the main characters are not voiced by Justin Roiland.

In true Rick and Morty fashion, the show is already leaning into Roiland being replaced even if the circumstances are significantly dark. Roiland was arrested for felony domestic violence charges, but the charges were later dropped due to “insufficient evidence.” However, the arrest prompted reports of his alleged behind-the-scenes behavior, which included barely being involved in the show for years.

Rick and Morty Season 7 will premiere October 10, and the official synopsis doesn’t shy away from the character’s new voices. Via The The Hollywood Reporter:

Rick and Morty are back and sounding more like themselves than ever! It’s season seven, and the possibilities are endless: what’s up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to the high school?! Maybe not! But let’s find out! There’s probably less piss than last season. Rick and Morty, 100 years! Or at least until season 10!

Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen also released a statement touting the Season 7 premiere and praising the creative team that is now Roiland-free.

“Thanks to the talent of the entire show team, we can all enjoy 10 new episodes that yet again raise the bar for comedy and animation,” Ouweleen said. “This season proves that the geniuses at work on Rick and Morty are just getting started.”

Rick and Morty Season 7 premieres October 10 on Adult Swim.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Donald Trump has confirmed that he will be arrested in Georgia on Thursday. Anticipation is high to see the former president’s mugshot, and of course, Trump is playing the whole thing up like a primetime event.

In a new Truth Social post, Trump not only confirms his arrest time, but he makes sure to promote his interview with Tucker Carlson, which took place during the first GOP debate. Trump didn’t feel the need to attend the event because he’s already the frontrunner, but there’s also been chatter that he’s afraid of facing off with Chris Christie.

Trump also used the arrest announcement to insult Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, and we’re guessing his legal team is just loving that.

Via Truth Social:

231,000,000 Views, and still counting. The Biggest Video on Social Media, EVER, more than double the Super Bowl! But please excuse me, I have to start getting ready to head down to Atlanta, Georgia, where Murder and other Violent Crimes have reached levels never seen before, to get ARRESTED by a Radical Left, Lowlife District Attorney, Fani Willis, for A PERFECT PHONE CALL, and having the audacity to challenge a RIGGED & STOLEN ELECTION. THE EVIDENCE IS IRREFUTABLE! ARREST TIME: 7:30 P.M.

Despite his all-caps bravado in public, Trump is reportedly “nervous” behind the scenes. The former president is concerned that the numerous defendants in the Georgia indictment are going to “make deals and flip on him.”

“He’s not so confident anymore,” a source told Page Six. “He’s not acting so cocky anymore. He’s not lashing out so much. The arrogance is gone.”

(Via Donald Trump on Truth Social)