Cheerleading is supposed to be a team activity. Most squads have anywhere from 10 to 20 cheerleaders and some have even more than that. But one squad in Nebraska had just four girls, and less than two weeks before the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championships, all but one cheerleader had quit.
Most kids would’ve followed suit so close to a big competition and without teammates, but Katrina Kohel, a senior at Morrill High School, decided she was still going to compete—even if it meant she would have to do it alone. Talk about being brave in the face of disappointment. This girl decided she was going to cheer in the competition and she did, without much care for what others thought.
The competition wasn’t just the next town over. It was five hours away, so Kohel and her coach, April Ott, really had to mull it over before committing to making that drive, according to Business Insider. In the end, the teen decided that she didn’t want to just sit in the crowd or stay home; she wanted to perform the routine she spent so much time learning. But the routine required the entire squad, so before they could make the trip, they had to figure out how to make it a one-person routine.
“I’ve put a lot of time into cheer. It’s just always been a part of who I am, so I didn’t want to end on that note. I wanted to go out on a high one. For that to come true, I didn’t want to end it just by going to watch state. I wanted to compete.” Kohel told Business Insider. So the lone cheerleader and her coach got to work redoing the routine so it made sense with just one person cheering.
The pair told the Omaha World-Herald that they had to rework the whole performance in a week and a half. It was really a battle of sheer will since Kohel was determined to do her best on the mat without her team. Kohel admitted to the outlet that she was nervous, but no one would have known it.
“She was completely confident the whole week that we practiced,” Ott told Business Insider. “It was just 100% confidence, and she just owned it.”
This cheerleader was absolutely unstoppable and she had her family’s full support. Even Ott’s daughter, who was previously a cheerleader at the same high school, tagged along to cheer her on. Kohel’s grandparents stood in for her parents because her brother had a state wrestling tournament and her parents are the coaches. But don’t worry, they were able to see her cheer through Facebook Live.
Support didn’t only come from her family and coach, as other cheerleaders piled into her section and cheered for the brave solo cheerleader. Darin Boysen, executive director of the Nebraska Coaches Association, told the Omaha World-Herald that this was the first time a cheerleader competed alone.
But she didn’t just compete—she placed 8th out of 12 squads, which is the highest Morrill High School has placed in the last three years.
“It’s almost overwhelming, the amount of support I got from all of them,” Kohel explained to Business Insider. “The whole arena was cheering me on. It wasn’t just one little section—it was the whole arena.”
‘Tis the season of reboots, revivals, and numerous spinoffs, so it’s only (super)natural that any show that has been over for at least five years gets thrown into the mix. Supernatural ended in 2020, meaning everyone is starting to miss it again and the fans are hoping for some more supernatural occurrences. We don’t really need to talk about the ill-fated spinoff, though.
Earlier this week, Padalecki told Collider that a reunion isn’t off the table, though it’s a complicated subject. “It’s not that I haven’t seriously considered doing it, my single answer is yes. It’s timing. It’s availability,” he said.
Padalecki explained that the timing has to be right, and the story has to be worthwhile, not just thrown together to appease the fans. “Jensen and I feel so strongly about our show that we had for 15 years together that we don’t wanna just do it, just to do it. We don’t wanna go, ‘Hey, I have two weeks off in June. Let’s go ahead and shoot 10 pages a day, just so we can have some more content.’”
Rumors have been swirling about a reunion for years, though they were quickly squashed when the on-screen brothers were publicly beefing over the aforementioned spinoff, which was canceled after one season. They seemed to have gotten over that, though.
“If and when Supernatural comes back, it’s going to be a labor of love, and we’re gonna put every hour in to make sure that it’s as true to the canon and to the fandom and to the story and to the characters as possible,” Padalecki concluded. “So, my short answer is it’s not a consideration, the answer is yes. I just don’t know when I’m available. I don’t know when he’s available. But again, my answer is yes,” he added. Until then, the former Gilmore Girls star is busy with his Western drama Walker. You can take the boy out of The CW but you can’t take The CW out of the boy, it seems.
Megan Thee Stallion knows her brand but that doesn’t mean she’s afraid to shake things up — so to speak. During a recent Live streaming session with fans on Instagram, the Houston Hottie debated losing some of the songs that have become her signature from her upcoming album.
“I just remember how y’all used to really whack me for making pop-that-ass music,” she joked. “I really wanted to get on y’all’s asses and show y’all how bad I can rap, so I really haven’t been in touch with my roots. I’m tryna see if y’all wanna pop that ass.”
She gave a little more insight into the progress of the album as well. “How many songs do y’all feel like y’all wanna hear on this album?” she asked. “In my mind, I was thinking 14, but I keep recording songs that’s so good! The first 20 songs I had, I’m just straight rapping. And then I started being in a better mood, so it’s like feel-good songs, and then I got in a ratchet mood ‘cuz you know it’s about to be summertime!”
So far, Meg’s dropped two songs that could be from the new album, “Cobra” and “Hiss,” both of which could fall under that first category. The latter debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, so it doesn’t seem fans mind too much hearing her just rap, but here’s hoping that she does manage to churn out some twerking anthems as befits the self-declared “Best Ass On Instagram.” Especially with her Hot Girl Summer Tour coming soon, she’s going to need something for the girls to pop those posteriors to, right?
Glass Animals started this week by announcing I Love You So F***ing Much and releasing “Creatures In Heaven,” the album’s first single. Well, Glass Animals love their fans so f*cking much that they will also headline a 41-date world tour, Human Musical Group Sensations Glass Animals: Tour Of Earth.
“hello humans of earth!” Glass Animals captioned their tour announcement this morning, April 4. “how r u? we have missed playing for u v much. we can’t wait to play u the new music…i think this album will be exceptionally fun live :)”
How To Buy Tickets For Glass Animals’ Tour Of Earth
According to a press release, tickets for North American dates will first be available through an artist presale on Tuesday, April 9, at 10 a.m. local time. “Additional presales will run throughout the week” before the general public sale goes live on Thursday, April 11, on 10 a.m. local time. European and UK dates will also be available on Tuesday, April 9, at 10 a.m. local time, but access will be granted via the Glass Animals Album Pre-Order Presale ahead of “additional presales.” The general public sale is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m. local time.
Glass Animals 2024 Tour Dates: Tour Of Earth North American Dates
08/07 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion +
08/08 — Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre +
08/10 — Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at the Mann +
08/11 — Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center +
08/13 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden +
08/16 — Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek +
08/17 — Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion +
08/20 — Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage +
08/21 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center +
08/23 — Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center +
08/24 — Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre +
08/25 — Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center +
08/27 — Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena +
08/28 — Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island +
08/31 — Kansas City, KS @ Azura Amphitheater ~^
09/03 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
09/04 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
09/05 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
09/07 — Seattle, WA @ The Gorge Amphitheatre ~^
09/08 — Vancouver, BC @ Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena ~
09/11 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre ~
09/13 — Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
09/14 — Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum ~^
09/17 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ~
09/20 — Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion ~
09/21 — The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~
09/22 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center ~
Glass Animals’ Tour Of Earth European And UK Dates
10/15 — Paris, France @ Zenith =
10/16 — Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National =
10/17 — Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle =
10/19 — Warsaw, Poland @ Expo XXI =
10/20 — Berlin, Germany @ Max-Schmeling-Halle =
10/22 — Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz =
10/23 — Zurich, Switzerland @ The Hall =
10/24 — Munich, Germany @ Zenith =
10/26 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live =
10/30 — Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena =
11/01 — Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro =
11/02 — Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live =
11/03 — Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena =
11/05 — Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena =
11/07 — London, UK @ The O2 =
+ with Kevin Abstract
~ with Eyedress
^ with Blondshell
= with The Big Moon
Glass Animals will be touring across North America and Europe starting this summer, as the band unveiled the massive list of dates for their Human Music Group Sensations Glass Animals: Tour Of Earth.
For both North American and European fans looking to attend, there will be an artist pre-sale starting on Tuesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets will then open to the general public on Thursday, April 11. Additional information can be found on Glass Animals’ website.
Check out the complete list of dates below.
Glass Animals Human Music Group Sensations Glass Animals: Tour Of Earth 2024 Dates
08/07 — Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion +
08/08 — Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre +
08/10 — Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at the Mann +
08/11 — Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center +
08/13 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden +
08/16 — Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek +
08/17 — Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion +
08/20 — Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage +
08/21 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center +
08/23 — Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center +
08/24 — Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre +
08/25 — Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center +
08/27 — Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena +
08/28 — Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island +
08/31 — Kansas City, KS @ Azura Amphitheater ~^
09/03 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
09/04 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
09/05 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
09/07 — Seattle, WA @ The Gorge Amphitheatre ~^
09/08 — Vancouver, BC @ Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena ~
09/11 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre ~
09/13 — Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
09/14 — Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum ~^
09/17 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ~
09/20 — Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion ~
09/21 — The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~
09/22 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center ~
10/15 — Paris, France @ Zenith =
10/16 — Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National =
10/17 — Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle =
10/19 — Warsaw, Poland @ Expo XXI =
10/20 — Berlin, Germany @ Max-Schmeling-Halle =
10/22 — Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz =
10/23 — Zurich, Switzerland @ The Hall =
10/24 — Munich, Germany @ Zenith =
10/26 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live =
10/30 — Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena =
11/01 — Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro =
11/02 — Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live =
11/03 — Nottingham, UK @ Motorpoint Arena =
11/05 — Cardiff, UK @ Utilita Arena =
11/07 — London, UK @ The O2 =
+ with Kevin Abstract
~ with Eyedress
^ with Blondshell
= with The Big Moon
The 2024 NCAA Tournament is nearing its end, with only three games remaining in the college season. While there is still a tremendous amount of attention on March Madness through the lens of NBA Draft evaluation, a heavy portion of projected first round picks were not participating this year, either due to early college exits or simply not operating within the college structure.
That has allowed players (cough, Donovan Clingan, cough) to stand out even more in the March spotlight, but we also must offer a reminder not to get too carried away with anything within a three-week sample size during a single-elimination basketball tournament. Of course, that is fruitless because narratives inevitably set in, and with all of that in mind, it is time to check in again with a mock draft update in early April.
Things are absolutely going to change in the next two and a half months, from the draft order becoming set to pre-draft workouts, measurements, testing, and trade movement. That doesn’t make it any less fun to project at this stage, however, so let’s dive in.
Note: Draft order as of Apr. 3
1. Detroit Pistons – Zaccharie Risacher, F, Bourg
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As covered extensively in our last mock draft, the race for No. 1 remains incredibly wide open. It makes me squeamish to “anoint” anyone right now but, since someone has to go No. 1, I’ll roll with Risacher this time. He has a high approval rating from NBA scouts for his versatility as a lengthy forward, and his tools are extremely appealing. It comes with risk, but that applies to anyone in this class.
2. Washington Wizards – Alex Sarr, F/C, Perth
Sarr projects as a potentially tremendous defender who can do a lot of interesting things on offense. Did I mention that he is also 7’1 with incredibly impressive physical tools? The Wizards are (still) a blank slate, and Sarr has real upside.
3. San Antonio Spurs – Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
I must say, this feels high for Dillingham, at least for me. There is a divide on whether he profiles as a true No. 1 guard or whether he might be best suited as a scoring sixth man. That likely feels insane for a player in the top three of a class but, well, consider the overall picture of this group. Dillingham can get to his spots with tremendous speed and shot creation, and the Spurs are in the market for their point guard of the future.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
The G League Ignite prospects had a weird season in the program’s final year, and the team made for a difficult evaluation context. Buzelis and Holland could each go higher or lower than this, but Buzelis is a 6’10 forward with intriguing athleticism and a high skill level. If you think he’s a potential high-end shooter, he could be the No. 1 pick. If not, maybe a slide could happen.
5. Portland Trail Blazers – Ron Holland, F/G, G League Ignite
Holland was perhaps most affected by the brutal context at Ignite, even if he led the team in scoring. It is hard not to love Holland’s ability and willingness to play hard at all times, and that combined with his athletic tools brings a pretty high floor. The question is whether he can be an efficient offensive player with enough usage to justify a top-five investment.
6. Toronto Raptors – Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
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Sheppard had an awful exit in the NCAA Tournament, but I would always encourage the prioritization of the big picture compared to the last thing we’ve seen. Sheppard was one of the best shooters and spot-up players in the country this season, and he put up gaudy playmaking stats as a defender. On the flip side, he’s probably about 6’2 and may not be a “point guard” at the next level. It’s a fascinating evaluation.
7. Memphis Grizzlies – Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
I have a feeling I’ll be told I’m “too low” on Clingan with this placement after the helium he’s enjoyed during the tournament. I do understand it, because Clingan has been the best player on the best team during March Madness, and the 7’2 center is easily projectable in the NBA. Of course, I could also argue his upside is slightly limited unless he becomes Rudy Gobert on defense (which could happen!), but Memphis needs a legitimate option next to Jaren Jackson Jr. in the role formerly occupied by Steven Adams.
8. Utah Jazz – Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee
Knecht is an absolute bucket. He is a legitimate three-level scorer and, of course, the headliner will be his ability to threaten from the three-point line. It was a meteoric, one-season rise, and he is definitely old for a lottery prospect. But Knecht is a good enough athlete and the productivity was incredible at the highest levels of college basketball.
9. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn) – Nikola Topic, G, Mega MIS
Topic could go higher than this if he proves healthy. His on-ball tools at 6’5 are very appetizing, and teams like San Antonio could be in the mix. On the other hand, he’s been banged up for several weeks and he might need the ball to fully succeed.
10. Atlanta Hawks – Stephon Castle, G, UConn
This pick would make less sense for the Hawks in a universe where they retain both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. However, most believe that scenario isn’t the most likely, and Castle could slot nicely in as a high-end secondary ball-handler with true guard skills at 6’6. He’s a very good defender, which Atlanta needs, and profiles as a fantastic connecting piece.
11. Chicago Bulls – Ja’Kobe Walter, G/F, Baylor
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Walter’s shooting appears to be quite real, and that is the calling card for the 6’5 wing. He was highly productive in Baylor’s (short) tournament run, but there are concerns about his ability to do much beyond spacing and straight-line drives as a scorer on offense. In the end, his draft stock could flow on whether teams believe in his defense.
I promise I didn’t do this on purpose. Cody Williams is the brother of OKC’s Jalen Williams and, honestly, I don’t think he’ll fall this far when June arrives. But there was skepticism around Williams the last few weeks, and the shine is off again for now.
Salaun is an 18-year-old combo forward with the ability to space the floor. That is the simple explanation of his appeal at 6’9, though he isn’t necessarily a dynamic athlete. He would give Portland more size and an appealing long-term bet.
14. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers) – Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Collier was out-of-sight and out-of-mind during the tournament after a brutal season for USC. He does profile as a player likely to rise during the pre-draft process, and the team’s struggles went well beyond his own. Collier remains an interesting lead guard prospect.
15. Philadelphia 76ers – Kyle Filipowski, F/C, Duke
Filipowski’s size and skill combination is really interesting. He’s in the 6’11/7’0 range with the ability to step out on the floor and shoot/pass on offense. On defense, he made a big leap this year and projects as a strong impact guy at the NBA level. However, he may not be a true, every-play center and he isn’t necessarily elite at any one skill.
16. Miami Heat – Devin Carter, G, Providence
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Carter seems like a Heat pick to me. For one, his dad (Anthony Carter) played in Miami, and he is also a total pest on the defensive end. I mean that in the best possible way. He’s probably more of a 3-and-D role player in the NBA, but hey, that sounds like something the Heat would have interest in.
KIintman started his journey at Wake Forest and played in the NBL this season. He showed a ton of flashes, and though he’s still pretty raw, he’s 6’9 with intriguing athleticism and the potential to make shots.
18. New York Knicks – Tyler Smith, F/C, G League Ignite
There is a thought that Smith could be more of a wing, but I don’t really see that. I think he’s more of a combo big, but at 6’11, he can shoot and has some more versatile scoring pop to his game. Also, Ignite might have made him look worse than he is, and I think he’ll rise in the process.
19. Phoenix Suns – Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Phoenix needs a long-term answer at center, and Missi can be it. He has a reported 7’5 wingspan, and he’s a fantastic athlete. That’s a strong baseline for future success, and he was a high-level defender this year at Baylor. On offense, it’s just going to be play-finishing, but at this point of the draft, a high-end defensive center with these tools is a good fit.
20. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento) – Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
Da Silva is old (23 in May) and not all that explosive as an athlete. Those are the reasons he’s not a lottery pick. But he’s also 6’9, plays with a ton of feel on both ends, and he shot 39 percent from three in back-to-back college seasons.
21. Orlando Magic – Jared McCain, G, Duke
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McCain can really score and he can really shoot. Everything else on his profile is secondary to that in pushing him solidly into the first round. He’s only 6’3 and doesn’t have the best physical tools, but McCain was incredibly productive and efficient in one of the country’s best conferences as a freshman. That’s not bad.
22. New Orleans Pelicans – Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
I have to admit that part of this is selfish. I absolutely love Ryan Dunn. He’s the best defender in the draft and one of the best (non-center) defensive prospects in recent memory. He also just can’t shoot, and that kills his projection. If you knew he could shoot even 35 percent from three, he’s a lottery pick. I truly believe that. New Orleans has a good track record with this kind of player (see Jones, Herb) and I’m letting them try again.
23. New York Knicks (via Dallas) – Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Candidly, I have no idea what to do with Edey right now. He’s one of the best college basketball players of the last two decades, and I have few concerns about his offense in the NBA. The questions come on the other end and, specifically, with whether he can hold up in space. There is a massive split on him in the scouting world, but I do think a team is going to take him in the top 25. The Knicks have multiple picks and Isaiah Hartenstein is a pending free agent.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Johnny Furphy, G/F, Kansas
Furphy doesn’t project as a guy who is going to carry big usage, but he wouldn’t need to in Cleveland. He’s a 6’9 shooter who plays hard and seems to know what to do on a basketball court. There is a reason he’s still available here, but there is stuff to like.
25. Washington Wizards (via LA Clippers) – Kyshawn George, G/F, Miami
Washington has leaned into upside under its new regime, and I’m not sure George fits into that mold. At the same time, he is a 6’8 shooter who can really pass. You can work with that, even with relatively limited physical tools.
26. Milwaukee Bucks – Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
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I really like the fit here. Ware might need a little time, but he might be what the Bucks need at center for the future after Brook Lopez ages out. Ware has elite tools. He can shoot. He’s huge. And he was underratedly good this year at Indiana.
Utah went with an older, high-floor guy in the lottery with Knecht. This time, they take the swing on Edwards, who was once projected as a top-five pick in this class before a woeful start to his college career. Late in the year, though, Edwards started to come on, and he could keep rising in the next two-plus months.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say this is a Mike Conley replacement, because you aren’t likely to find that at No. 28 overall. But Kolek is rock-solid and profiles as probably a high-end backup at the NBA level. The Wolves are in clear win-now mode, and he can help right away.
29. Denver Nuggets – Kevin McCullar, F/G, Kansas
Denver tends to lean toward old, productive players. McCullar does have real injury concerns that could knock him out of the first round, just as they knocked him out of the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments. If the medical checks out, he’s a very strong defender with some on-ball juice if you need it.
30. Boston Celtics – Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina
Ingram flashed well in the tournament and is rising up boards again after a brutal stretch at Stanford. He’s a former five-star prospect for a reason, and Boston can afford to swing here with their roster situation.
Maggie Gyllenhaal has unveiled the first look at her second directorial outing, The Bride, which stars Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s monster and Jesse Buckley as his titular bride.
However, Bale’s character design for the period film has already sparked a flurry of online reactions thanks to his portrayal of “Frank” looking awfully close to the Jared Leto version of a Joker. The situation isn’t being helped that the Bill Skasgård remake of The Crow also went down that road.
You can see the photos of Bale and Buckley in The Bride below:
And here’s the synopsis for The Bride, which also stars Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, and Annette Bening. Via Variety:
The Bride is set in 1930s Chicago and puts a spin on the iconic Frankenstein lore. Buckley’s murdered young woman is revived, but her new life surprises her creators as she lusts for romance and ignites a radical social movement. Along with the first look at Bale, Gyllenhaal also teased a photo of Buckley’s bride.
It should be noted that these photos were simply a camera test as The Bride has not yet started filming. It’s not even scheduled to hit theaters until deep into 2025. But judging by the reactions on social media, it might not be a bad idea to revisit Bale’s look for the film because the Jared Leto Joker jokes (or JLJJ) immediately started flying. It’s nearly impossible not to compare the two.
well. jared leto joker-ifying frankensteins monster is certainly a decision! https://t.co/Pnkv1EsRmO
I hope this era of Hollywood reimagining all their classic antiheroes with Joker tattoos goes on for a long time. King Kong with ‘Anarchist’ across his knuckles. ‘Limp Bizkit’ on Scarlett O’Hara’s forehead. Let’s do it. https://t.co/syeJcQyrf7
If you’re a Gen Xer or older, one surprising habit the younger generations developed is their love of subtitles or closed-captioning while watching TV. To older generations, closed-captioning was only for grandparents, the hearing impaired, or when watching the news in a restaurant or gym.
But these days, studies show that Millenials and Gen Z are big fans of captions and regularly turn them on when watching their favorite streaming platforms. A recent study found that more than half of Gen Z and Millenials prefer captions on when watching television.
It’s believed that their preference for subtitles stems from the ubiquity of captioning on social media sites such as TikTok or Instagram.
This generational change perplexed TikTokker, teacher and Gen X mother, Kelly Gibson.
“I have three daughters, and they were here. Two of them are young millennials; the other one is an older Gen Z,” Gibson explained in a video with over 400,000 views. “All of them were like, ‘Why don’t you have the captions on?’”
The mother couldn’t believe that her young kids preferred to watch TV like her grandparents. It just did not compute.
“My Gen X butt was shocked to find out that these young people have decided it’s absolutely OK to watch movies with the captions going the whole time,” she said jokingly.
But like a good mother, Gibson asked her girls why they preferred to watch TV with captioning, and their reason was straightforward. With subtitles, it’s easier not to lose track of the dialog if people in the room start talking.
“They get more out of it,” Gibson explained. “If somebody talks to them in the middle of the show, they can still read and get what’s going on even if they can’t hear clearly. Why are young people so much smarter than us?”
At the end of the video, Gibson asked her followers whether they watch TV with subtitles on or off. “How many of you out there that are Millennials actually do this? And how many of you Gen Xers are so excited that this is potentially an option?” she asked.
Gibson received over 8,400 responses to her question, and people have a lot of different reasons for preferring to watch TV with captions.
“Millennial here. I have ADHD along with the occasional audio processing issues. I love captions. Also, sometimes I like crunchy movie snacks,” Jessileemorgan wrote. “We use the captions because I (GenX) hate the inability of the movie makers to keep sound consistent. Ex: explosions too loud conversation to quiet,” Lara Lytle added.
“My kids do this and since we can’t figure out how to turn it off when they leave, it’s become a staple. GenX here!” Kelly Piller wrote.
The interesting takeaway from the debate is that anti-caption people often believe that having writing on the screen distracts them from the movie. They’re too busy reading the bottom of the screen to feel the film’s emotional impact or enjoy the acting and cinematography. However, those who are pro-caption say that it makes the film easier to understand and helps them stay involved with the film when there are distractions.
Atlanta rapper 21 Savage and Maryland crooner Brent Faiyaz have some advice for their romantic partners ahead of a rendezvous in their new video for “Should’ve Wore A Bonnet.” The video, shot in delirious lo-fi, follows the duo as they throw a high-class house party full of sexy women and their fellow entertainers. While they perform their seductive verses, bodies gyrate around them and rappers like Offset of Migos make cameo appearances. The low-key vibe fits the laid-back beat of the song, which appears on Savage’s January album, American Dream. They also performed the song together on Saturday Night Live earlier this year.
Savage is now just a little under a month away from his first US tour in five years to support the album. The American Dream Tour kicks off on May 1 in Vancouver with opening acts JID, Nardo Wick, and 21 Lil Harold. Savage’s previous 2019 tour wasa success, but any future movement was curtailed by his arrest by US Immigration and his five-year fight to secure citizenship against the threat of deportation to the UK. Meanwhile, Faiyaz is just six months removed from the release of his last album, Larger Than Life but has yet to announce a tour for the album.
You can watch the “Should’ve Wore A Bonnet” video above.
Everyone can use a motivational friend to help hype them up in various projects. For example, Matt Damon is always there for his pal Ben Affleck, even when he doesn’t deserve it, while Selena Gomez often shows up for her elderly BFFs Steve Martin and Martin Short when they are awake past their bedtimes. But the real way to support your friends is to do some viral marketing for them, to prove you’re a true fan. Luckily for Ayo Edebiri‘s friends, she is a true fan.
Edebiri is hyping up the crowd (a.k.a. her fellow Instagram users) for Hunter Schafer’s new thrillerCuckoo. The movie follows a young woman named Gretchen who moves with her father to the German Alps and becomes haunted by a mysterious woman. It’s a good enough promise on its own, and now it has the coveted Ayo Edebiri Seal Of Approval.
The Bottoms actress commented on Shafer’s Instagram post, “I’m seated. The theater employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s ‘not August yet’ but I’m simply too seated.” Real Ayo fans know her cinematic opinions never miss.
Obviously, this should be enough to convince anyone to see the blood-soaked movie. And it does seem to be working.
i feel like being supported by ayo edebiri could potentially change my life and make me motivated to do anything i want https://t.co/U6RuSYPSds
— tortured dolly department (@dollylorr) April 4, 2024
Cuckoo also stars Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick. Here is the official synopsis: “Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König, her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise. Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also concerns her own family. ”
The movie hits theaters on August 9, but Ayo is there right now because she’s too seated. You can meet her there.
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