Category: Worldwide

Once upon a time, MTV delivered exclusive tours of homes owned by some of the biggest names in the entertainment world. The series Cribs debuted in 2000 and in just five year, the show had visited the properties of nearly 200 musicians, actors, and athletes. (The one with Mariah Carey was the series’ most-watched episode.) While the show was placed into syndication in 2008, Cribs has debuted a number of new episodes over the years through platforms like CMT and Snapchat. Now, more the two decades after its initial premiere, new episodes of the show are set to return to MTV this summer.

The new episodes are set to premiere on MTV starting on Wednesday, August 11 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. The 30-minute episodes will allow viewers to get an exclusive look at the homes of celebrities like Big Sean, Rick Ross, Tinashe, and JoJo Siwa. Other names like Nick Young, Tia Mowry, Marsai Martin, Scott Disick, Martha Stewart, Jordyn Woods, and Kathy Griffin will also open their doors for MTV’s cameras.

“Cribs didn’t simply introduce the celebreality genre, it created a blueprint for how we engage on social media,” Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer, MTV Entertainment Group, said. “We are thrilled to usher in a new era of this iconic franchise for audiences around the world.”

You can watch a trailer for the upcoming episodes above.

If you’re a Republican lawmaker under investigation for criminal activity, there’s always an at least temporary solution: ignore and distract. The same day that Matt Gaetz — who the FBI are examining for human trafficking — tried to become the face of the #FreeBritney movement, Lindsey Graham, who in February was part of a probe into the GOP’s attempt to influence Georgia’s election last November, had an even more random idea: come to the aid of Chick-fil-A.

On Wednesday, the South Carolina senator seized upon a Fox News report, which revealed that almost 200 students at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana signed an open letter, calling on the school to stop the friend chicken chain from opening a brick-and-mortar on their campus. Their reason? The company infamously donates to what the letter deemed “queerphobic” causes.

Well, Graham wasn’t having it. “I have always thought @NotreDame was one of the greatest universities in America, if not the world,” Graham wrote on Twitter. “It’s disappointing to hear some ND students and faculty want to ban Chick-fil-A from doing business on campus because they disagree with the values held by the Chick-fil-A founders.”

Graham, who spends his days doing things like robotically discussing how much he misses the 45th president, promised action. “I want everyone in South Carolina and across America to know I have Chick fil-A’s back,” he said, referring to something happening many states away from the one he represents. “I hope we don’t have to, but I will go to war for the principles Chick fil-A stands for. Great food. Great service. Great values. God bless Chick fil-A!”

It was a leftfield outburst, and it left a lot of people scratching their heads. Some wondered if the company was one of his biggest donors or something.

Some wondered what exactly he could even do.

And others wondered if he, as a lawmaker presiding over a country in turmoil, has more important things to do.

Now, if Graham had said he’d go to war for Popeyes, the superior chicken chain, that’d be another story.

The 2021 WNBA All-Star Game brought a different format than we are used to, as the WNBA All-Stars went up against Team USA in their first exhibition game before they head off to Tokyo. It’s an exciting format if for no other reason than it allows some players who felt they should’ve made the USA squad to show why USA Basketball made a mistake not taking them to Tokyo, and the early results of the first half have been a highly competitive game with a bit more juice than most All-Star Games have.

However, oddsmakers didn’t really account for that when they initially posted the point total for the game, and the result was historic line movement the likes of which Vegas rarely, if ever, sees. When Circa posted the total on Wednesday morning it sat at 248.5. When the game tipped, that total had plummeted 53 points to 195.5. That isn’t the type of movement you see just from steam or sharps going after an inflated number, and Circa’s oddsmaker, Matt Metcalf, took the blame for what became a Vegas-wide issue, as he told ESPN’s David Purdum.

Rushing, Metcalf said he looked at the total points scored in the previous all-star games and landed on 248.5 as the opening number for this year’s game.

“At worst, I don’t think this was more than 15 points off. That’s as bad as I think it could be,” Metcalf said. “I didn’t think it would be the worst number ever.”

Metcalf said he didn’t take into account that WNBA all-stars were facing the U.S. women’s national team, which is tuning up for the Olympics and expected to take the game more seriously than traditional high-scoring all-star games that are often played with reduced intensity and lackadaisical defense.

Other books quickly matched Circa’s number — which got as high as 252 after a bet on the Over shortly after posting — and from there the line moved significantly over the course of the day, finally settling under 200. It is as wild a sportsbook story as you’ll ever see, and the books are lucky that it didn’t attract attention earlier than it did, as the book director at the Westgate SuperBook said they actually had more money on the Over, even considering they missed the opening number by 54 points.

It is a reminder that, even for the pros, there are sports where they simply aren’t quite as dialed in on because the handle doesn’t dictate that they need to be. That is one of the reasons the WNBA is a favorite for some pro sports bettors, who often find significant edges on lines and totals with systems that are more in tuned with what’s going on in the league than the books, where the WNBA can be an afterthought — as evidenced by a hurried together total for the All-Star Game.

Given that the halftime score was 44-43, it’s safe to say the line movement was more than worthy.

When USA Basketball announced the 12-woman roster for the Tokyo Olympics, the one name missing that stunned everyone was Nneka Ogwumike. The Sparks star had been a leader for the USA women in recent years, including earning MVP honors at the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2020, but was left off the roster with the apparent reasoning being her knee injury that figured to keep her out until right around the start of USA Basketball camp.

However, others pointed to it as the latest evidence of the politics of USA hoops that had led to the likes of Candace Parker being left of the 2016 team that went to Rio (Parker even called it “bullsh*t” Nneka had been left off the roster), and promises being made but not kept for some of the country’s brightest young stars. Ogwumike joined her sisters, Erica and Chiney, in petitioning FIBA to be a part of the Nigerian Olympic squad after being left off the USA roster, hoping to get to fulfill her Olympic dream alongside both of her sisters.

On Wednesday night, just as the WNBA All-Star Game tipped off in Las Vegas between the All-Stars and Team USA, word emerged from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Mechelle Voepel that Nneka’s petition had been denied by FIBA.

Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike was notified by FIBA that her petition to play for her native Nigeria in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics was denied due to “substantial involvement” of more than 10 years with Team USA, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Per the report, Ogwumike will look to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, which could allow her either to play while awaiting a hearing or get an expedited decision that could allow her to play in the Olympics. Chiney was approved to play as a naturalized player, but that ruling also will be appealed as it allows for just one player per roster to have that status and could impact someone else on Nigeria’s squad — Erica Ogwumike was fully cleared to play for Nigeria with no restrictions or stipulations.

It’s unfortunate that FIBA decided this way, as it hinders one of the best players in the world from competing at the Olympics, even considering she’s played for Team USA a significant number of times. One would think the point of that rule is to keep players from abandoning their national squads in order to play for a different team, when in this case it’s the other way around. Ogwumike was left off the USA roster despite that experience and having played so much for them, and if there’s another avenue for her to be able to compete in the Olympics, FIBA should be looking to help facilitate that rather than denying it.

Britney Spears has spent almost a year trying to end her conservatorship, or least removing her father from controlling it. While the battle continues, Britney took a moment to show love to the #FreeBritney movement as it helped bring the latest chapter in the court battle to the national spotlight.

“It’s because of them I am here today,” the singer reportedly said about the #FreeBritney movement in court on Wednesday. “It’s because of them I have the f*cking strength to speak up against my family who have silenced me for years.” She added, “The people who f*cking work for me even tried to sue my fans. MY fans, ma’am, NOT theirs.”

During a court hearing at the end of last month, she described the conservatorship as “abusive” and an arrangement that restricted her from enjoying the lifestyle she wanted. “I’ve been in denial,” she admitted during the hearing. “I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized. I just want my life back.”

The pop star also reportedly asked a judge to consider pressing charges against her father. “I’m here to get rid of my dad and charge him with conservatorship abuse,” she said, according to NBC News, adding that “this conservatorship has allowed my dad to ruin my life.” During the hearing, Britney also reportedly held back tears while telling a judge that Jamie would not allow her to drink coffee or take vitamins, which she described as “f*cking cruelty.” She added, “Their goal was to make me feel crazy and I’m not. And that’s not OK.”

Britney Spears has been fighting to end the conservatorship that has been dominating her life for the last thirteen years, and today she scored a big victory in that realm. After speaking publicly to the court for literally the first time in the history of the conservatorship about her own feelings about it, Spears has made it clear that she wants it to be over and considers her father’s role in the process to be abusive.

Even at that hearing, Britney was still represented by a lawyer the court had appointed for her, Samuel D. Ingham III, but he has since asked to resign from the case. We got word that Britney was seeking new counsel and had selected a lawyer to represent her, and that former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart had agreed to do so. Today, Variety reports that a judge signed off on the change up, granting Britney the right to hire her own counsel. If that sounds like it’s a right that she should’ve had in the first place, well, probate court is a place full of loopholes and corruption.

Rosengart has represented other celebrities like Sean Penn, Steven Spielberg, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Keanu Reeves in the past. According to those reporting live from today’s hearing, Rosengart said he has plans to file a motion ending the conservatorship for good.

Matt Gaetz has been under investigation by the FBI since late last year, over his alleged connection to a sex trafficking ring. But the Florida representative has been doing what many Republicans do when they’re being probed for criminal activity: ignore and distract. On Wednesday, a rally was head in downtown Los Angeles for the #FreeBritney movement, which seeks to end pop icon Britney Spears’ restrictive conservatorship, which is run in part by her father. And guess who randomly showed up to make a fiery speech?

The Florida lawmaker was there to show passionate support for a person who achieved fame when she was very young. “If this case does not result in freedom for Britney Spears,” Gaetz bellowed to the crowd, “it is a black eye for the American justice system.”

Gaetz declared that Spears — whose conservatorship is so strict that she’s not allowed to remove her IUD, which prevents her from having children — deserves “the freedom and liberty that should be offered to every single American.” He continued:

“She’s been abused by the media. She’s been abused by her grifter father. And she has been abused by the American justice system. And so we need to come together and create a federal cause of action — a federal change in the law that will free Britney and the millions of Americans [presumably referring to those who are also under conservatorships].”

He added, “One thing we can all agree on is that Jamie Spears is a d*ck.”

Preach! But a few people didn’t think Gaetz was the person who should be trying to gain hosannas for sticking up for someone like Britney Spears.

Gaetz is one of a handful of GOP lawmakers who’ve tried to get Spears to testify in Washington D.C. (Then again, one of them is Marjorie Taylor Greene.) Whatever his real motives, one wonders if he got the idea to glom onto her plight after getting made fun of three months ago in a Spears-centric SNL sketch.

(Via Variety)

Everyone’s favorite serial killer, Dexter, will return for a Showtime limited series revival sometime later this year. For awhile, the production team kept things close to the sleeve regarding whether any O.G. cast members would return. James Remar, who played Dexter’s dad and code proponent, flat-out said that none of them had been invited to return, but forensic striped-shirt evidence suggested otherwise for Jennifer Carpenter’s return as Debra Morgan. Sure enough, Deb has been confirmed to return, in spirit form, no doubt, but there’s been questions on how confirmed returning cast member John Lithgow’s return as the Trinity Killer would work out.

Well, we’re getting some answers from Lithgow himself. He spoke with Deadline to say that his appearance in the revival would be even more fleeting than his physical appearance in the original show. He shot for “one afternoon,” and he’ll be returning in flashback form. However, Lithgow is excited by what he saw on set:

[When Lithgow] arrived for the shoot, he was excited to learn about the story the revival is telling.

“I learned that it’s completely different from [the original series]. Kind of like Perry Mason, it’s a reimagination,” Lithgow told Deadline of the 10-episode limited series, show-run by Clyde Phillips. “They don’t take it into a different era, but it’s in a different part of the world, a different part of the country, and a whole new cast of characters.”

Lithgow even stressed that he was asked for one day of his time, and that’s precisely what happened. Well, fingers crossed for more than one set-day from Jennifer Carpenter. I really do hope she gives Dexter a hard time while sitting on his shoulder as his new Dark Passenger. Yep, make that role outright impossible to debate, and have her give him hell for dumping her in the ocean. That was rude, Dexter.

(Via Deadline)

Country legend-in-the-making Ashley Monroe shared some sad news with fans recently. The solo artist and one third of Pistol Annies took to Instagram to let fans know she’s dealing with a rare form of blood cancer, and will begin the battle to fight back against the illness. Check out her full story below, and as she notes, the power of community support is huge. So if you’re a fan, send some good vibes her way.

Gratitude. Moments like these I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Getting flowers delivered weekly from @genajohnson507. Enjoying a staycation in Nashville when we had to cancel our Florida trip. Sitting with my sisters the day I found out. Seeing John be my rock and the best dad to Dalton, and being surrounded (and prayed for) by the best friends (and family and manager) I could ever dream up. A few months ago my dr. was doing some routine lab work and found that I was anemic. I was like, FINE, I’ll just double up on cheeseburger patties, take some extra vitamins and call it a day.

Well my red blood count just kept falling, and they found out my iron /b12/ folic acid numbers were actually fine. short story long, they did a bone marrow biopsy, (ouch) , and VOILA.. a rare kind of blood c word called “waldenstrom macroglobulinemia” It’s causing my body to be pretty severely anemic, and I feel it. So, I start chemo tomorrow. Seems like such a negative thing to say. Until I flip that doom feeling on its head and think, wow, I’m thankful I have an illness that is VERY live with-able. I’m thankful there IS a treatment that actually works to fight what is causing harm to my body. THANKFUL for friends and family who have gathered around me praying and sending flowers and letting me lean on them during this super weird chapter of my life.

Thankful for my angel son. Who I am fighting for the most. I would greatly appreciate if no one gave me any unsolicited advice or medical opinions. I’ve done my research and have amazing Vanderbilt dr’s I’ve weighed every option with. That’s why I was hesitant to post about it, but I could use the prayers.. and I DO believe in the power of prayer guys. I also believe in the power of love healing us all on an even deeper level. I love you all big. Here I go

Donald J. Trump is tireless in his pursuit of money and power, but he’s also fundamentally lazy. To this day, it doesn’t appear he ever learned what his old gig as president of the United States entailed, and he rarely seemed to do the job anyway. So when he released one of his weird press releases praising a new book by a conservative pundit, and it turned out he’d brazenly copied-and-pasted most of it from a press release, the only response was a shruggy “of course he did.”

The tome in question was How I Saved the World, by Jesse Watters, a Fox News commentator who did no such thing. (He also once made a sex joke about Trump’s daughter Ivanka.) It’s not clear if Trump has ever read anything longer than a tweet, and after reading his rave, it’s still up in the air.

“Great new book out by Jesse Watters, How I Saved the World,” he wrote in the format that used to fuel his failed blog. He then proceeded to elaborate on his approbation. “Interspersed are his thoughtful suggestions for overcoming left-wing radicalism, maintaining American democracy, moving beyond aging hippies (like his long-suffering, loving parents), saving the world from social justice warriors and the deep state — all while smirking his way through life in only the nicest way. Get your copy today, congratulations Jesse!”

If the middle section seemed off — which is to say, more or less clean and clear, grammatically correct, perhaps even copy edited, if, of course, still generally questionable — you weren’t crazy. It was, in fact, lifted verbatim from the book’s official description. Trump’s a busy man, living in resorts and babbling to strangers about the election he lost. He doesn’t have time to read or even fake his way through what’s supposed to be fulsome praise for people who made lewd sex jokes about his oldest daughter.

It’s the kind of outside-the-box nuttiness that used to happen daily when Trump resided in the Oval Office. And lots of people noticed the combination of the weird and the slothful.

Those that didn’t catch that Trump straight up copied-and-pasted most of his rave knew something was up.

Anyway, the big boy’s still got it!