Category: Viral

Jeff Goldblum isn’t the actor who uttered the “clever girl” line in 1993’s Jurassic Park, but that doesn’t mean he can’t rock a mask with that phrase. In fact, he did just that while posing during Jurassic World: Dominion filming with O.G. cast members Laura Dern and Sam Neill (who is in love with his hat, apparently) while they regrouped and urged people to make it happen on National Voter Registration Day.

What I love most about this photo (other than “voting”) is that Dern and Goldblum are standing next to one another, looking totally normal, like co-stars tend to do. Yet Dern wasn’t aware until quite recently (April 2019, when she spoke with Uproxx) of the Goldblum shirtless memes that have sprawled all over the internet. She called this revelation “hysterical” before giving all due credit to Goldblum being “one of the greatest improvisational actors ever.” Do you think they’ve discussed the shirtless memes? I am pretending that they laughed merrily over the subject.

To recap briefly, Goldblum admitted that he’d improvised the scene basically because “Costa Rica is really hot and so was I.” Given that Dominion is currently finishing production at Pinewood Studios outside London, which has been hovering in around mid-60s temps this week, it’s not likely that Goldblum is taking the same shirtless stance. Yet you never know with this guy. One thing is certain, you should vote!

Jurassic World: Dominion arrives (hopefully) on June 11, 2021.

On Monday, Jackson State University announced Deion Sanders as their new head football coach with the exact amount of fanfare one would expect for “Coach Prime.”

Sanders held a press conference on Tuesday and alluded to having assembled a coaching staff that features 84 years of NFL playing and coaching experience, noting that the staff has been together for “months” and has already worked through some installs via Zoom for offense, defense and special teams.

As for who will be part of that star-studded coaching staff at JSU, a report from Joe Cook indicates Warren Sapp and Terrell Owens will headline the names joining the Hall of Famer in Jackson, with plenty of former NFL players and coaches filling out the staff that looks to make Jackson State a power in the SWAC once again.

However, Sanders quickly responded that list was wrong on Twitter — although, it should be noted, initial reports of Sanders being the coach at Jackson State were also denied vehemently.

As Sanders noted in his presser, there are still some things to workout with getting his staff all together, with some of them currently employed by other schools, but it’s clear that JSU and Coach Prime are trying to make a name for the program immediately. We’ll have to wait to see what the final list of names is, but one would assume they will draw plenty of attention from recruits whatever the group is given Sanders’ explanation of their credentials. That’s always the first step to building a powerhouse program, but from there it will be incumbent on Sanders and company to develop those players and have an identity as a team to make the most out of this initial rush of attention and spotlight on the Tigers.

Last month, news broke the R. Kelly had been attacked in his Chicago jail cell by a fellow inmate. The rapper’s lawyer claimed demonstrators protesting Kelly’s court case outside of the prison had led to the entire building going on “lockdown,” meaning inmates were not allowed to go outside. One inmate in particular did not take kindly to the lockdown and went through with his plan to jump Kelly inside his cell. Kelly pushed to be released on bail out of concern for his safety, but instead, the attacker was simply moved to another facility.

According to TMZ, federal prosecutors have responded to Kelly’s safety concerns. Rather than going through with his wish to be released on bail, agents say the attack was a one-off event and opted to instead separate the two inmates. Because prosecutors see Kelly as a “threat to the public,” he is to remain in Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center while his attacker is being moved to Michigan.

Following the original incident, Kelly claimed prison guards were privy to the attack. Kelly’s lawyer reported that the singer had overheard the inmate discussing his plans and warned the guards of the impending attack, but they didn’t heed his claims.

While the prison guards weren’t on his side, apparently Kanye West is. Last week, West tweeted his opinion about Kelly and Bill Cosby being “taken down” by white media companies who produced damning documentaries. “There has never been a Black media company that would take down a white celebrity.”

The highly anticipated second season of The Mandalorian arrives in October, and this time around, the Disney+ hit is going all-in with the Baby Yoda merchandise, including an adorable, life-size LEGO set.

In an incredible move that no doubt left millions of toy sales on the table, Lucasfilm kept the social media-shaking reveal of Baby Yoda (officially known as “The Child”) under wraps by holding off on merchandise featuring the tiny Jedi until he made his streaming debut. But now that the cat’s out of the bag, Disney and Lucasfilm are free to go buck-wild slapping the little green guy on anything and everything.

Probably the most impressive piece of sweet Baby Yoda merch is a new life-size statue for LEGO, which will be released on October 30, the same day that The Mandalorian season two debuts. You can scope out The Child LEGO set below:

Here’s the official production description straight from LEGO:

Turn the cuteness factor up to the max with this LEGO® Star Wars The Child (75318) build-and-display model. Authentic details of this popular character, affectionately known as Baby Yoda, are recreated in LEGO style, with posable head, ears and mouth for different expressions, plus the Child’s favorite toy – a gearshift knob (element included) – for it to hold just like it does in Star Wars: The Mandalorian.

In other Mandalorian news, Giancarlo Esposito recently sat down with PEOPLE, where he may have revealed that the beloved bounty hunting show will wrap up its story after four seasons. Esposito also dropped a hint on when fans can expect some answers on all things Baby Yoda.

“We’re living in a universe that is huge and there’s so much to explore,” Esposito said. “So I think this show is going to lay the groundwork for the depth and breadth that’s gonna come in season 3 and season 4, where you’re really gonna start to get answers.”

While more seasons of The Mandalorian sounds awesome, we gotta admit, we’re a little more pumped to get our hands on a LEGO Baby Yoda. And if the brick company is listening, we also wouldn’t mind that Schitt’s Creek LEGO set that a fan cooked up over the summer. Just sayin’.

(Via LEGO)

At the end of last week, a new cooking show premiered on Netflix with little-to-no fanfare. The American BBQ Showdown slid into Netflix on the down-low — an eight-episode reality competition centered around home BBQ cooks and pitmasters, all vying to be named the best (home) pitmaster in America. With little promo thus far (sometimes Netflix slow plays shows and then gives them shine later in the cycle), I can’t imagine a ton of people watched this series already. But I watched it, and I found it to be a bit of a hidden gem — full of earnestness, BBQ porn, and bombastic characters.

The show is a pretty straightforward food competition. Eight competitors assemble in summery Georgia at a barn to cook backyard barbecue for a panel of esteemed judges. They’re not reinventing any wheels here. The cast is a rag-tag group of home barbecue chefs and award-winning barbecue pitmasters from the barbecue circuit. Some of them are trained cooks, but none of them are full-time professional chefs. Actress Lyric Lewis and car restorer / TV host Rutledge Wood share hosting duties and serve as the audience conduit into the finer points of smoking meats. The judging responsibility falls on two living legends from the scene — Compton’s own BBQ champion Kevin Bludso joins Memphis BBQ champion Melissa Cookston.

The heart of the show really lies in the relationships between the contestants. There’s definite competitiveness afoot — it is a cooking competition after all. But there’s a fun bond that forms between these competitors early on. They seem pretty genuine in their mutual support (this quality contributes to Top Chef‘s appeal, too). In between the “I came here to win” mantra repetition, there still seems to be an approachable level of friendliness found in all of these people — hosts and judges included. At no point do you feel like one of them would shoo you away from their cool kid’s table at the BBQ cafeteria.

Naturally, this being a competition show, surprise challenges abound (as we said above, there’s no reinventing the wheel found here). A 4th of July episode reminds you that this show would have likely come out over the summer, had it not been for the pandemic. Another episode deftly touches on wild game, which nearly derails all of the contestants — who are exclusively used to working with pork, beef, and chicken. (The episode doesn’t really go into why BBQ pitmasters still have such a narrow knowledge of proteins, definitely a missed opportunity.)

Though the format and framing is prototypical, the show shines a light on unique takes on barbecue (much like Netflix’s much more heralded summer BBQ show). In a standout challenge, Indigenous methods and ingredients are juxtaposed with Antebellum African American methods and ingredients when contestants are tasked with creating dishes that marry the two foodways. While the episode isn’t meant to be a history lesson, it is fun to watch pitmasters who are used to Green Eggs and barrel smokers try and use real sandpits and wooden racks to cook their meals.

By the time you reach the final episode, you’ll know that a whole hog challenge is coming — simply by the fact that they haven’t done one yet. Even then, the show throws some nice curveballs in to test the mettle of the two pitmasters left standing. When the smoke finally clears, you’re left with a Top Chef hybrid made enjoyable through equal measures of food porn and bold characters. If you’re not ready for another cooking battle that leans into talking-head recaps, editing for drama while the time runs out, and judge’s table takedowns and surprises — we totally understand.

If you are, this is for you. For me, personally, it worked. I still have an occasional appetite for shows like The American BBQ Showdown — a very unchallenging way to say goodbye a very challenging summer.

You can watch all eight episodes of ‘The American BBQ Showdown‘ on Netflix right now.

It doesn’t matter if he’s performing with Talking Heads or solo — David Byrne knows how to make a damn good concert film. Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense is the masterpiece of the genre, while HBO’s upcoming American Utopia, directed by Spike Lee, “should be required for everyone,” as our own Mike Ryan raved. Not just Talking Heads fans, but everyone, as there’s “something whimsical and magical about the whole thing. It is designed to make the viewer feel good.” We could all use joy right now.

Described by HBO as a “unifying musical celebration that inspires audiences to connect to each other and the global community,” American Utopia features new songs (largely from the 2018 album the film is named after), covers (“Hell You Talmbout” by Janelle Monae), and old Talking Heads’ favorites, including “Burning Down the House,” “Life During Wartime,” “This Must Be the Place,” and “Road to Nowhere.” There’s nothing from the Sack Lunch Bunch special, but maybe Byrne’s saving that for the sequel.

Here’s more on American Utopia:

Recorded during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City, David Byrne is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.

David Byrne’s American Utopia premieres on HBO and HBO Max on October 17.

Indie music has grown to include so much. It’s not just music that is released on independent labels, but speaks to an aesthetic that deviates from the norm and follows its own weirdo heart. It can come in the form of rock music, pop, or folk. In a sense, it says as much about the people that are drawn to it as it does about the people that make it.

Every week, Uproxx is rounding up the best new indie music from the past seven days. This week we got the incredible debut album from Anjimile, another promising preview of Bartees Strange’s debut, and the first taste of a new EP from Pup. Check out the rest of the best new indie music below.

AG Cook – Apple

After the 49-track 7G earlier this year, AG Cook is dialing back the intensity just a bit on his latest release. By focusing on fewer tracks, Apple concentrates everything AG Cook does well into just 39 minutes, making for an extremely enjoyable experience.

Anjimile – Giver Taker

While Anjimile’s debut album was written during a period of intense personal reflection, the music never gets weighed down by the seriousness of the lyrics. The resulting effort is an album that sounds quite unlike anything else in recent memory, channeling elements of Sufjan Stevens and more into something unique and truly special.

Knuckle Puck – 20/20

The new album from Knuckle Puck snuck up on me. Always a sucker for pop punk, the riffs and choruses on 20/20 strike a sweet spot, showcasing the band’s growth as songwriters as they work on the loud-soft dynamic that is anchored by Joe Taylor’s melodic, cutting vocal.

Into It. Over It – Figure

The latest from emo staple Into It. Over It is about reconciling with poor decisions made, processing, and moving forward stronger. Although the lineup is different, the band still locks in for impressively tight and intricate instrumentation for which Into It. Over It has become known. It’s a welcome return for a band that has been more or less quiet since 2017.

Sault – Untitled (Rise)

In the span of just 18 months, Sault has dropped four albums, each of them more diverse and confrontational than the last. Untitled (Rise) is the latest in this line, with an incredibly wide range of incorporated music that fits smoothly and seamlessly, courtesy of an incredibly adept DJ. Untitled (Rise) is an immersive world, one you won’t soon want to walk away from.

Okkervil River – A Dream In The Dark: Two Decades Of Okkervil River Live

Live shows have been an important part of the Okkervil River story since the band’s inception. Now, the Texas band has released a live album that compiles all of their best performances from the last twenty years. Spanning 24 tracks, A Dream In The Dark tracks the band’s live evolution, and is truly a sight (sound?) to behold.

Pup – “Rot”

2020 couldn’t be a better fit for these perpetual Canadian pessimists. “Rot” is taken from the band’s new EP This Place Sucks Ass, which perfectly encapsulates the mindset from which many will be entering the listening session. However, in classic Pup fashion, the track serves as a reprieve from the world around you, forcing a smile onto your face as you remember the days of yesteryear when you could sway in a sea of people, singing along to the band’s modern punk onslaught.

Baldi/Gerycz Duo – “Frog Congress At Dawn”

You might know Dylan Baldi and Jayson Gerycz from their work in Cloud Nothings. What you might not know is that they got their start in freeform jazz. “Frog Congress At Dawn” finds the duo revisiting their past hobby in quarantine, spanning nearly 13 minutes with very little compositional structure, but in a way that still seems to work and flow toward the finish line.

Told Slant – “Family Still”

Born out of Brooklyn DIY, we haven’t heard from Told Slant since 2016’s Going By. “Family Still” is the first preview of The Flashlight And Walk, Felix Walworth’s new album under the name Told Slant. It doesn’t take very long to remind us what was so special about the project in the first place, though the new music takes on a more hi-fi approach that makes it a perfect soundtrack for the coming fall months.

Tomberlin – “Hours”

Featuring not much more than a looped acoustic guitar, light percussion, and strings, “Hours” puts on full display Sarah Beth Tomberlin’s captivating vocals. On the new Projections EP, Tomberlin is at the top of their songwriting game, with lyrics that dig deep and don’t let go.

Sunflower Bean – “Moment In The Sun”

It feels like Sunflower Bean has been buzzing for the better part of the 2010s, with several high-profile festival appearances across the globe and two albums under their belt. Where the trio’s previous efforts felt inspired by bands like Sonic Youth and Diiv, “Moment In The Sun” takes on a pop-oriented approach that can be aligned with a band like Haim or Wet. It’s not yet tied to an album, but shows a promising future for the young band.

Bartees Strange – “Kelly Rowland”

On his debut album Live Forever, Bartees Strange channels an incredibly array of influences. “Kelly Rowland” is the latest taste of the album, taking samples from both Rowland and Nelly’s “Dilemma,” and delivering what Derrick Rossignol calls for Uproxx “smooth, aural comfort.”

Will Butler – “Bethlehem”

Generations, the new solo album from Arcade Fire’s Will Butler is only a few days away, and “Bethlehem” is a punk-inspired final preview of what we can expect from the LP. With distorted guitars and heavy drums, “Bethlehem” is the most lively track we’ve heard from Butler since he assisted on “Month Of May” a decade ago, a very promising sign of what’s to come on the full album.

Flowerkid – “Miss Andry”

After listening to the new single from Flowerkid, it’s easy to see why they would have struck up a relationship with Billie Eilish’s management team. “Miss Andry” is a track that takes on heavy topics of mental health with minimalist alternative rock instrumentation that feels simultaneously nostalgic but also uniquely modern. It’s an impressive new entry from the 19-year-old, undoubtedly making them an artist to watch in the coming months.

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

Daniel Lopatin has been a non-stop force in recent years. In the summer of 2018, he released his latest Oneohtrix Point Never album, Age Of. Since then, he created the Uncut Gems score and worked on projects by The Weekend and Moses Sumney. He’d be forgiven for taking a break, but based on his latest social media activity, it looks like that may not be in his immediate plans.

Yesterday, he shared a brief teaser video on Instagram, which appears to suggest that something new is on the way. The 36-second clip begins with a technical difficulties screen before shifting to colorful psychedelic visuals, scored by some experimental ambient music. Eventually, the phrase “Magic OPN” (Lopatin used to go by Magic Oneohtrix Point Never in the early days of the project) and the Warp Records logo fade in on screen.

Given the reference to his former moniker, maybe Lopatin is re-releasing old material, or perhaps he has something new more influenced by that era. It could also be the case that he found an old promotional clip in his digital archives and decided to share it, and that nothing new (or new to fans) is coming at all. Whatever the case, potential fresh material from one of modern music’s most idiosyncratic thinkers is something to get excited about.

Earlier this month, Cardi B went public when she claimed her sister was harassed by beachgoers in the Hamptons. According to Cardi, her sister and her sister’s girlfriend were spending the day at the beach when a group of people, one of whom was wearing a MAGA hat, asked them to move their car and later allegedly spouted insults. Cardi posted a video of the encounter on social media, calling the beachgoers’ actions “racist.” But now, the same people in the video are reportedly suing Cardi over publicizing the encounter.

TMZ broke the story, saying Cardi is now getting sued for defamation. Apparently, the MAGA-supporting beachgoers claim in the lawsuit that Cardi and her sister edited the video to “falsely” paint them as racist.

While Cardi hasn’t responded to the lawsuit, she did post a detailed explanation of the situation at the time. According to her sister, they obliged when the group asked them to move their car but the altercation didn’t end there. Apparently, the men approached the couple once again and told them, “Go back to your own country.”

This isn’t the first time Cardi said she and her family were harassed by Trump supporters. Earlier this month, the rapper went on Instagram Live and recounted the time a Trump supporter posted her address online and she had to get the police involved. “Sh*t gets so intense that a Trump supporter posted my address and encouraged people to dox my home, to put my house on fire. […] I literally hired a private investigator, and served them with a warrant and arrested this boy.” Cardi went on to say she found out the boy was, in fact, a teenager. “His parents were shook,” she said.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

In the new trailer for Supernova, British-writer director Harry Macqueen’s second film, powerhouse actors Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth play a couple in their mid-60s. They’re forced to face a dementia diagnosis for Tucci’s character, Tusker, a renowned author, who has lost his ability to write. Aided by Firth’s Sam, who put his career as a classical pianist aside to care for his beloved partner, the two men embark on a road trip where they both grapple with each others’ different methods of coping with the pending loss of Tusker’s mind, and what that means for their future.

Here’s the official synopsis:

It is deep Autumn and Sam and Tusker, partners of twenty years, are on holiday. They are travelling across England in their old campervan visiting friends, family and places from their past. Since Tusker was diagnosed with young-onset dementia two years ago their lives have had to change. Jobs have been given up and plans put on hold. Their time together is now the most important thing they have. As the trip progresses however, their individual ideas for their future begin to collide. Secrets are uncovered, private plans unravel and their love for each other is tested like never before. Ultimately, they must confront the question of what it means to love one another in the face of Tusker’s irreparable illness.

Supernova makes it world premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 24th.