Despite What We Do in the Shadows making it to four seasons on FX, Matt Berry had no idea how popular the show is until he made a recent trip to Los Angeles. The British actor, who plays the perpetually horny Laszlo Cravensworth, has been in the UK for most of the pandemic and filming for the FX series takes place in Canada, which left Berry completely unaware that WWDITS became a hit in the States.
“It’s moderately successful in the U.K., to put it kind of politely,” Berry told Polygon before revealing how his Los Angeles trip opened his eyes to the show’s popularity thanks to fans yelling Laszlo’s catchphrase at him:
“When I went [to LA], it’s like, Oh, sh*t, this is quite a thing,” Berry said. “There’s billboards everywhere. You know, people shout on the street and that kind of thing.
“It’s either ‘Bat!’ or ‘Laszlo!’ Mostly ‘Bat!’”
The “Bat!” line has become one of Lazlo’s most fan-favorite quirks — the vampire character yells it whenever he transforms into a bat — and, like most of the show, it was completely improvised. During a recent interview, Berry couldn’t quite place the first time he said it, but he does remember needing a quick way to end a scene with frequent screen partner Natasia Demetriou, who plays his vampire wife Nadja.
“It was just a kind of signifier,” Berry told Polygon. “It’s always funny if someone says the thing that they’re going to do. That’s probably why I said it.”
“I remember almost dying with laughter,” Demetriou added. “It wasn’t in the script.”
Jeopardy! has not been quite the same since host and Canadian and American treasure Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer at the end of 2020. Trebek had hosted the show for 37 seasons, so his exit was jarring for fans, who were unsure if the beloved trivia show would continue.
While they tested out other hosts, including the problematic Mike Richards and a slew of guest celebrities, the current season has been carried by longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings and actress/scientist Mayim Bialik. As fans had previously speculated, the rest of season 39 will be hosted by Jennings and Bialik, who will alternate their duties for the foreseeable future.
As Deadlinepointed out, Jennings will host the first batch of episodes of Season 39, which starts taping in August, through December, with Bialik stepping in starting in January.
Producer Michael Davies wrote a lengthy blog post updating fans on the next phase of Jeopardy! content, which will also include a Second Chance Competition, a daily highlights reel, and, of course, a podcast! Here is an excerpt from Davies’ statement:
I write today with the exciting news that we have closed and signed deals with Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings to be the hosts of Jeopardy! moving forward.
The fact is, we have so much Jeopardy! to make, and so many plans for the future, that we always knew we would need multiple hosts for the franchise and we are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed. And succeed it has. With Mayim and Ken hosting, the show is considerably up in viewership year over year, with more than 27M viewers tuning in each week this season. When you consider that almost every other show in broadcast television and syndication is declining, this has been a quite remarkable season: we’re the most-watched entertainment show on all of television. Yes, all of television.
In Mayim and Ken, we have two outstanding hosts at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers who connect with their own unique fanbases, new fans, and the traditional Jeopardy! viewer. Ken will kick off the season in September, host the inaugural Second Chance competition and the heavily anticipated Tournament of Champions featuring Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach, Ryan Long, and many, many more. His initial hosting run will take us through December. In the meantime, Mayim will host Celebrity Jeopardy! on ABC in primetime. When she takes over from Ken in January, the current plan is to have her host a couple of new tournaments as well as the Jeopardy! National College Championship and as many weeks as she can manage with her other primetime commitment to Call Me Kat. We know you value consistency, so we will not flip flop the hosts constantly and will keep you informed about the hosting schedule.
You can check out the rest of Davies’ blog post here. Season 39 of Jeopardy! will begin airing this September.
We all need a little escape sometimes, and Louisville, Kentucky-based trio Wombo agree. Rather than looking to movies or video games, Wombo created their own post-punk fairy tale in the form of their new album Fairy Rust. Inspired by stories from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson, Wombo combine fantasy with the mundane to craft a 12-track project that’s pure organized chaos.
The band’s expertly executed art-rock sound is complete with droning guitars, frenetic chords, and angular melodies that make it impossible not to get up and move to. But Fairy Rust also has its slower moments. Tracks like “7 Of Cups,” which references the tarot card symbolizing imagination and wishful thinking, cranks the tempo down to a hazy, atmospheric rate. Others like “Snakey” are a bass-forward, playful study on a hero’s journey.
Ahead of the release of Fairy Rust, Wombo sat down with Uproxx to talk about the new album, sensitive skin, Joan Jett, and Keira Knightley in our latest Q&A.
What are four words you would use to describe your music?
Chaotic, organized, sad, happy.
It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
That we tried our best.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?
I don’t know yet!
Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?
There isn’t one singular person that I could fairly say.
Where did you eat the best meal of your life?
Hopefully I haven’t yet eaten the best meal of my life.
What album do you know every word to?
I don’t think I know every single word to any album but Room On Fire by The Strokes comes close.
What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?
I think the most memorable, not necessarily the best, was my very first concert, a free one at the Kentucky State Fair. It was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and halfway through she had to sit down and they had to help her off stage by the end. Her voice sounded great though.
What is the best outfit for performing and why?
Something comfortable and simple and makes me feel like myself and not distracted by anything coming loose or slipping or anything.
Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?
I like this comedian Servideo, especially her characters Anubis and Victoria.
What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?
I think my bandmates are sick of it by now, but I keep playing Blackstar by David Bowie.
What’s the last thing you Googled?
Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream. I have really sensitive dry acne prone skin and I’ve been struggling to find a moisturizer that doesn’t break me out in pimples or hives but is also moisturizing enough. Most of my google searches are skin care related. If anyone is reading this and knows some good tips/products please help.
What album makes for the perfect gift?
Anything obscure and fun you can find at your local record/thrift shop. I love Fat Rabbit here in Louisville. They always have interesting finds.
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?
Our friend’s house in Philadelphia. There was a giant mobile of terrifying haunted looking dolls that made a horrible screeching noise whenever you spun it, and we slept in the room with it on the floors and couches, all piled in together, and in the night we could literally hear the noise. I enjoyed myself there. I think others in our group not so much.
What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?
My first tattoo was a crescent moon behind my ear (original yes) and it was a stick and poke done by a friend. After that, I’ve given myself several stick and pokes as has my boyfriend. My favorite one I’ve given myself recently is medusa on my ankle. I’ve never paid for a tattoo yet.
What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?
If Led Zeppelin or Heart is on 107.7 WSFR or 95.7 WQMF or any station here in Louisville, it stays put.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
There are so many nice things I’ve had done for me by so many people. It’s hard to sum one experience up. I’ve had a lot of help and support from friends and family over the years.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
I would warn her about her pancreas and tell her to lay off the booze and drugs.
What’s the last show you went to?
Last show was one we played for Waterfront Wednesday here in Louisville. I got to see War. My friend accidentally burned my shoulder with his cigarette while we were dancing to “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” It was a lot of fun and they were incredible.
What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?
Pride And Prejudice. I love Keira Knightley period pieces. Also if Pineapple Express is on, I’m watching.
What’s one of your hidden talents?
I’m not sure. I guess they are hidden pretty good.
Fairy Rust is out 7/29 via Fire Talk. Pre-order it here.
After emerging as an up-and-comer to keep an eye on in 2021, 17-year-old Glaive is having a terrific 2022 so far. He shared five new songs on a deluxe edition of his All Dogs Go To Heaven EP and teamed up with Machine Gun Kelly on “More Than Life.” Now, he’s gotten his own Spotify Singles release which features a pretty cool cover of the Death Cab For Cutie classic “I Will Follow You Into The Dark.”
The original song is of course an acoustic tune with a straightforward arrangement and a tender and reserved vocal performance from Ben Gibbard. Glaive opts for a different direction, though. Although it begins true to the original recording, he switches things up starting with the second verse, when he switches to a more fast-paced rock guitar riff and impassioned vocal performance, gradually turning up the knob on the intensity until he abruptly returns to more intimate territory for another hook. It’s one of those covers that bends the source material without breaking it, adding a compelling new dimension to the song while still properly honoring it.
In a statement, Glaive says of the recordings:
“Around the time of the recording, I was listening to a lot of Death Cab For Cutie. The idea for the cover came about when during a session one day I was tired of working on my own music but still wanted to make music. It’s one of the only songs I know how to play on guitar so I started to work through it with Ralph and Danny and Jeff and it just clicked.
The original (minnesota) is my favorite song I’ve ever made. It’s so energetic and crazy whereas the Spotify Single is a lot more thought out and beautiful. Again, I’m a sucker for acoustic guitar on a song and I’m glad it worked so well with this version.”
Listen to Glaive’s Spotify Sessions above and revisit Death Cab’s original “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” below.
HBO Max’s very good animated series Harley Quinn returns this week after a two-year break. The last time we checked in on Harley Quinn (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell), they were confessing their true feelings for each other.
“You don’t think I’m chaotic, and crazy, and make a bunch of messes?” Harley asks Ivy while they’re driving away from a squad of cop cars. “No, you definitely do that,” Ivy replies. “But you’re trying to grow, and actually doing it! And that… I mean, for me, that’s what matters!” They say they love each other and kiss while crashing through the window of a church, which, #RelationshipGoals.
Harley Quinn co-showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker are aware of how invested people are in Harley and Ivy, or Harlivy, and they have no plan of breaking them up. “We still have the occasional fan reaction of ‘I don’t like Harley and Ivy together. She should get back with the Joker,’ which we’re never going to do,” Schumacker told the AV Club. “Harley and Ivy will never break up in the series as long as we have a say. That’s something that we never want to touch again.” Or else they’ll feel the wrath of Tumblr.
Harley Quinn season three premieres on HBO Max on July 28.
In a new featurette for its upcoming She-Hulk series for Disney+, Marvel has revealed that Tatiana Maslany‘s version of the character will have a slightly different origin story. (There’s also enough fourth wall-breaking to make Deadpool jealous.)
When she was first introduced in Marvel Comics, Jennifer Walters was the daughter of a Los Angeles County sheriff and a cousin to Bruce Banner on his mother’s side. During a visit tell his cousin about his transformation into the Hulk, Jennifer was caught in the crossfire when a local crime lord targeted her father in a shooting. In desperate need of blood, Bruce was the only match to save his cousin, but he ended up doing more than keep her alive. His blood turned her into She-Hulk, a powerful addition to the Marvel pantheon.
Here’s where the Disney+ series switches things up: In the show, Jennifer (Maslany) and Bruce (Mark Ruffalo) are in a car accident together, which skips right over the whole blood infusion part and straight up splashes her with the stuff. With Bruce’s blood entering an open wound, Jennifer becomes She-Hulk. An interesting and kind of gross tweak, but nowhere near the wild changes that Ms. Marvel experienced when she made the jump from the comics to Disney+.
Here’s the official synopsis:
She-Hulk, a new comedy series coming to Disney+, stars Tatiana Maslany as She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who specializes in superhuman-oriented legal cases. She-Hulk will welcome a host of Marvel characters to the series, including the Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, and the Abomination, played by Tim Roth.
Harry Styles is having himself a year. “As It Was” just got knocked off the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after spending 10 weeks on top, the most of any song this year. Harry’s House is the year’s best-selling vinyl album so far and the first 2022 album to go Platinum. Now, he has another achievement to add to his figurative trophy case: Chart Data reports “As It Was” is now the fastest solo song to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.
.@Harry_Styles’ “As It Was” becomes the fastest solo song to surpass 1 billion streams in Spotify history.
“As It Was” was released on April 1, so as of today (July 27), it has been streaming for 118 days. Where does this put “As It Was” in terms of the fastest song overall, solo or otherwise, to cross a billion? It looks like it’s somehow exactly tied for that title. The last reported record-holder was The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s “Stay,” which was released on July 9, 2021 and hit a billion streams on November 4 that year, 118 days later.
Before making his superhero debut in The Boys universe, Patrick Schwarzenegger starred in a much darker show, The Staircase, alongside Collin Firth and Toni Collette. The HBO limited series told the true story of Kathleen Peterson’s tragic death and the subsequent investigation of her husband Michael and their family.
Schwarzenegger starred as one of the Peterson children, Todd, who was in his early twenties when his mother was found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Throughout the HBO retelling of the highly-publicized story, Todd undergoes a lot of physical changes as he battled drugs and alcohol abuse. Schwarzenegger told Variety that the production team had to add prosthetics to transform the actor. “He got really heavy,” Schwarzenegger admitted. “I had to wear a four-month pregnancy belly. It was weird.”
This isn’t the first time the actor had to alter his appearance. For The Terminal List, he added nearly 20 pounds of muscle to get that Navy SEAL look. “I was eating nonstop, It was fun. I had to fill out the uniform and not look like a little shrimp,” he confessed.
Next, Schwarzenegger is portraying Golden Boy in The Boys spinoff Gen V,where he will play a college student at a prestigious superhero university. He probably won’t look like a little shrimp in that show.
Griner has plead guilty to the charges but has told the Russian court she brought the cartridges unintentionally, which is the start of the process to getting her trial over and sentencing done. Russia will not release her back to the United States in any sort of diplomatic arrangement until then, but the dialogue about how to get her back has escalated to a “substantial offer” being made from the Biden administration in recent weeks.
According to CNN, the administration signed off on an offer to send Viktor Bout, a Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year sentence, back to Russia in exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, who has been in Russian custody since 2018 on charges of espionage and, like Griner, is considered “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government.
“We communicated a substantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians,” a senior administration official told CNN Wednesday. “We communicated that a number of weeks ago, in June.”
The official declined to comment on the specifics of the “substantial offer.” They said it was in Russia’s “court to be responsive to it, yet at the same time that does not leave us passive, as we continue to communicate the offer at very senior levels.”
It remains to be seen if that will be enough to secure Griner and Whelan’s release from Russia — which again cannot happen until Griner’s trial is completed — but it’s an encouraging step for the public (and Griner) to hear, as there has been a steady push from the WNBA, basketball fans, and beyond to do more to secure her release. This is the most substantial step yet, and the hope is that Russia will agree to the swap and Griner and Whelan will be able to return to U.S. soil sooner than later.
Over the past year, Detroit native Zelooperz has drawn attention as a member of Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade, popping up in places like The Alchemist’s This Thing Of Ours 2 (on the track “Wildstyle”), Arizona rap trio Injury Reserve’s By The Time I Get To Phoenix (on “SS San Francisco”), and on LA iconoclast Earl Sweatshirt’s Sick! (on “Vision”). He also featured on UPROXX Sessions performer Na-Kel Smith’s A Dream No Longer Deferred in 2020.
So, it’s only right that he follows in Smith’s footsteps, making his own debut on UPROXX Sessions to perform “Who U Love” from his March project, Get WeT.Radio. The song is a semi-tender ode to a lover, with Z insisting, “Being without you a dealbreaker, I’d rather rot.” It’s a short but sweet track that shows the Motor City rapper isn’t afraid to bare his heart.
Watch Zelooperz perform “Who U Love” on UPROXX Sessions above.
UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.
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