Stephen A. Smith has turned into the most on television person of all time for one simple reason: He is incredible at having extremely strong takes on seemingly every subject and somehow is capable of finding any little way to debate them. Most of the time, we see Smith do this in the world of sports, but on the most recent episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” he flexed his movie muscles in a way that I, quite frankly, cannot believe is real.
A caller named “Danny in Wisconsin” asked Smith for his thoughts on one particular person’s positioning in the GOAT of sports debate. Specifically, Danny wanted to know where Lightning McQueen and his seven Piston Cups stacks up, and I swear to god, there is no universe where you can expect this to get as heated as it does.
“You’re talking about the movie Cars, right?” Smith asks. And after Danny confirms that, yes, he is talking about the movie Cars, Smith mentions that McQueen and Strip Weathers are tied with seven Piston Cups.
“Strip Weathers has seven Piston Cups,” Smith authoritatively says. “I am not about to sit here and argue with a grown ass many about the movie Cars.”
Somehow the Fast & Furious franchise came up in this, because Smith basically said Danny — who is 21 — needed to argue with him over something that isn’t an animated movie.
“Stephen A,” Danny says, “Cars is as real to little kids as…”
“YOU’RE NOT A LITTLE KID,” Smith screams. “YOU’RE 21. YOU WOULD HAVE A POINT IF YOU WERE 7 YEARS OLD CALLING ME. YOU’RE 21 YEARS OLD. WHAT ARE YOU DOING, WEARING A DIAPER? GOODBYE, MAN.”
Tom Cruise has mostly steered clear of politics. Apart from a brief period in the mid-aughts when he was very open about certain beliefs he holds — and nearly wrecked his career — he’s stuck to making big movies and endangering his life just to entertain. But when his agent came under fire for posts about the Israel-Palestine war, he used his clout to save her job.
Variety has a new post about how Hollywood is dealing with those in the industry who’ve posted about the conflict in the Middle East, especially those who’ve called out Israel’s response. One was far from a household name: Maha Dakhil, a CAA agent who “ignited a firestorm” at the agency over her Instagram posts. One read, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.”
Dakhil might have been fired, had her most important client not been Tom Cruise. According to the report, the superstar “made it known to CAA that he was backing her.” He went so far as to show up in person in the offices. As a result, she was relieved of her duties as co-chief of the motion pictures department but was able to keep working as an agent.
Variety’s report came the same day that two actresses were punished for statements condemning Israel’s ongoing bombing of Palestine. Oscar-winning actress and activist Susan Sarandon was let go from United Talent Agency for comments she made at a rally in support of the Palestinian people.
“There are a lot of people that are afraid, afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence,” Sarandon said at the rally, in comments that were criticized on social media.
Elsewhere, Spyglass Media Group fired Melissa Barrera from the Scream series over social media posts in which she wrote, “Western media only shows the [Israeli] side. Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.” Barrera had been the star of the previous two Scream films, which had rejuvenated the long-dormant franchise.
It’s been a minute since Eminem has put out new music — but the Detroit rapper has had quite an eventful past few weeks. Earlier this month, he made his Mom’s Spaghetti sauce available for purchase from online retailers, just two years after the namesake storefront opened in his hometown. Today (November 21), the “Lose Yourself” hitmaker announced he would be stepping into the video game realm.
In a teaser shared to Em’s Instagram account, the rapper teased involvement with the upcoming Fortnite finale event. The video clip shows an old-style television screen with the Fortnite logo flashing, then flashing Eminem’s signature backwards “E” logo.
The post’s caption reads “calling all grandmas 12.2.” alluding to a lyric from “Tone Deaf,” a song from his 2020 album, Music To Be Murdered By.
A snippet of the song plays in the video clip, specifically a line in which Em raps “I can make ‘orange’ rhyme with ‘banana’ /
Ornana / Eating pork rinds, sword fightin’ in pajamas / At the crib, playin’ Fortnite with your grandma.”
Though neither Fortnite nor Eminem have revealed the capacity to which the rapper is involved with the December 2 finale events, some leaks (per Forbes) have shown that Eminem skins will be available for players of the game.
Look above at that picture of Jon Hamm chilling in a hot tub from the new season of Fargo. Look closely. Then look closely-er. Notice anything odd? The more prurient of you may have checked out his nipples. If you did, you may have noticed something: they’re both pierced. They’re small, but they’re there. Here’s the thing, though: Jon Hamm, actor, does not have pierced nipples. His character, a ruthless sheriff out to nab a possible scam artist (Juno Temple), does. It’s Hollywood magic! But how did they give Hamm fake nipples? Is that an actual job?
It is (maybe)! Per Variety, last week Hamm and Temple appeared at a Fargo Season 5 screening in Los Angeles. There Temple was gobsmacked to learn about the fake breastwear. “A full, fake nipple?,” she asked him in front of the crowd. Hamm was all too happy to get into the nitty-gritty.
“I had to have some very blue latex put on my nipples, and then they cast a resoundingly lifelike pair of nipples, which they then pierced and placed over my own nipples, and we shot said nipples,” Hamm told the crowd. “The crew doesn’t get enough credit, but there was a dedicated nippleologist.”
Whether the crew member was simply an accomplished general make-up artist who someone who specializes in nipples is unclear. But if your specialty is fake nipples, that’s quite a get for your résumé. They look good, too! You really think the erstwhile Don Draper and current Fletch has pierced nips.
After becoming fed up with the material nature of the holiday season, a Redditor who goes by Somanycatsinhere, shared how she is putting her money towards things that matter rather than mindlessly buying gifts. Even though everyone’s situation differs, the post is an excellent reminder that we don’t have to give someone a store-bought gift reflexively. Instead, we can focus on getting something they actually need.
“I’m over buying gifts to be thrown away or donated,” she started her post. “I decided I’m done.”
The Redditor explained she usually visits her family a few weeks before the holidays for a joint Thanksgiving and “Early Christmas” celebration, and this year, she took a different approach to gift-giving.
“I made a visit to my sister with my 3 amazing nieces. … The kids have everything they can need or want: toys and clothing-wise—and it’s all so overwhelming. The kids don’t even play with most of it. It’s just piled up everywhere,” she wrote.
So, instead of buying them more toys and clothes, she opened up a college fund for each niece, who receives a monthly amount “gifted” to them at birthdays and Christmas.
The woman’s sister is having financial difficulties, so she got her something super practical. “Took my sister to the store and told her she could fill the cart with household items and groceries for her and her husband’s Christmas present. Laundry soap, paper towels, toilet paper, groceries, etc. She loved it!” she wrote.
For her nephews who have everything, the poster gave them gift cards for their annual trip to Disney.
The woman’s extended family “throws nothing away” and collects “everything,” so the Redditor got them to agree to a family Christmas trip instead of exchanging gifts.
The post received over 150 comments from people who shared their approach to giving gifts during the holidays. Many who responded said they prefer to buy experiences for their family members instead of material objects.
“I gift experiences. Like membership to a batting cage for my nephew or a season pass to the zoo. I suggested horseback riding sessions or archery lessons for my daughter and some kind of jump park or karate class for my son,” Savvymama30a wrote. “I’ve also started buying more “experience” gifts than physical items. I’ve gotten gift certificates for massages, fancy restaurants, and concerts or shows for my parents the past few years,” Purplezara added.
During these challenging economic times, practical gifts can be a huge help.
“I think, slowly but surely, people are coming around to this way of giving. As a practical person, I thoroughly appreciate being gifted things I’ll actually use,” Yourdailysugarcube wrote. “When I was younger and newly on my own, my mom would gift me bulk items from Costco like paper towels, garbage bags, etc, and while it isn’t glamorous, it saved me a lot of money. I really appreciated those gifts!”
Ultimately, the holidays are all about spending time together, expressing gratitude for one another, and embracing the things that truly matter in life. Everyone has their love language, but this Reddit poster seems to be on the right track by focusing on giving people gifts they can use instead of something they’ll stick on a closet or get rid of at a yard sale.
November 22, 2023, will mark the 60th anniversary of one of the most horrific moments in American history, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The anniversary has been greeted by a host of new documentaries and renewed interest in the conspiracies surrounding the assassination.
One historic moment from Kennedy’s short but consequential presidency occurred on the last night of his life, Thursday, November 21, 1963. That night, Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, and his wife, Lady Bird, visited a formal dinner in Houston, Texas, held by LULAC — the League of United Latin American Citizens. The event featured a welcoming party of Mexican-American World War II veterans, including Medal of Honor recipient Macario García.
The event is believed to be the first time a sitting U.S. president publicly recognized the Latino vote.
The visit was a thank-you to Latino voters who played a significant role in Kennedy taking Texas in the 1960 election as part of his razor-thin victory over Richard Nixon. Mexican-American military veterans, angry that they still faced prejudice and second-class citizen status after serving their country in the war, bound together in the state to create the Viva Kennedy movement to elect the first Catholic president.
“[Veterans] assumed that things would change, that they would be like they were in the foxhole, or the military unit,” Professor Ignacio Garcia, author of “Viva Kennedy: Mexican Americans In Search of Camelot,” told NPR. “And when they came back and discovered things were not changed, they became very adamant about changing things.”
Kennedy’s trip to the LUAC gala was a way to publicly rededicate himself to Latino voters. However, the president’s primary goal on his Texas trip was to soothe party tensions caused by the fight between gubernatorial challenger Don Yarborough and Governor John Connally.
Kennedy arrived at the Grand Ballroom at Houston’s Rice Hote to the sound of the song “Kennedy, Kennedy” played by El Trio Internacional. When he took the stage, he said some words about his policies in Latin America and then introduced Jacqueline, who made a short speech in Spanish.
Jackie Kennedy addresses LULAC gala in Houston, Nov. 21, 1963; the night before #jfk #jackiekennedy #jacquelinekennedy #vincepalamara #palamara
After the couple’s speeches, the room erupted with chants of “Viva Kennedy! And viva Jackie!”
Dr. William Elizondo, who was present at the historic event, recalls taking the opportunity to tell Kennedy about the problems with poverty and health faced by many Latinos in San Antonio. He remembers Kennedy saying, “I’m definitely going to look into it.”
“He was so vivacious about what he was going to do,” Elizondo told My San Antonio. “We felt grateful that things would be made better and change in a positive manner.”
Sadly, the next day, at 12:30 pm, Kennedy would be struck down by an assassin in Dallas, with Jacqueline by his side.
But Kennedy’s death didn’t squash the growing Latino political movement in the U.S. It would carry on, with many of its leaders, such as Edward Roybal, making their way to prominent roles in Washington, D.C. This new wave of Latino leaders would lobby to expand the Voting Rights Act to include Latinos, from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and establish the Latino vote as one of the nation’s most influential blocs.
Lana Del Rey is constantly reinventing herself — whether it be by choice or by divine intervention. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Grammy-nominated singer revealed how a shocking discovery led her to get rid of some of her most prized possessions.
For years, Del Rey believed her Zodiac sign was Gemini. She had fully embraced her Gemini characteristics, until later realizing that the timing of her birth didn’t line up with the placement on the Gemini stars.
“I lived my life as a Gemini,” Del Rey said. “It’s insane. And then I found out that I was four hours short. I threw out all my 14-karat gold twin Gemini pendants.”
Del Rey learned that she is actually a Cancer sun with a Leo moon and a Scorpio rising. this certainly sounds like a very expensive discovery and transformation, Del Rey accepted her actual Zodiac placement with open arms.
“I feel like I identify with Cancer qualities,” she said. “I’ve got lots of crabs in diamonds. I’ve got a ‘go bag,’ I’ve got a truck — I carry everything I have with me on my back like a little crab. Total crybaby. Tears all the time.”
It must be humiliating to be losing so badly to someone who’s repeatedly said Barack Obama is the current president. But that’s what’s happening to Ron DeSantis. This time last year, some six months before he’d even formally launched his 2024 campaign, the Florida governor was the next great, very white hope for the Republican Party, while Donald Trump had turned into Sideshow Bob stepping on rakes. Now their fortunes have flipped, and DeSantis’ supporters are starting to have buyers’ remorse.
In a bit teased out by Raw Story, NBC News has a new report on what’s up with Never Back Down, the DeSantis super PAC that’s stuck by his side, even as he’s been felled by unflattering nicknames and footwear choices. A recent meeting descended into petty in-fighting. Instead of hashing out a plan to save their guy, members almost came to blows between the PAC’s top consultant, Jeff Roe, and longtime DeSantis confidant Scott Wagner.
“You have a stick up your a*s, Scott,” Roe told Wagner during a budget discussion.
“Why don’t you come over here and get it?” Wagner replied. He then rose out of his chair, Markwayne Mullins-style, before being restrained à la Bernie Sanders.
They have every reason to be on-edge. Though DeSantis has tended to place second in polls to Trump, it’s a very distant second. What’s more, a new contender, Nikki Haley, has been eclipsing him in some polls, which is to say trailing an insurmountable amount behind her old boss. In fact, a Washington Post/Monmouth University poll from last week had DeSantis in fifth in New Hampshire. That’s left some contributors angry about contributing at all.
“I’m a bit agitated these guys have spent all this money for no return,” one DeSantis contributor told NBC News. “You don’t just keep throwing money at RadioShack.”
Remember RadioShack? At one point the electronics retailer was a staple of every mall, selling everything from personal computers to CB radios to teeny-tiny doohickeys that only die-hard techies would ever know what to do with. Many of them shuttered in the mid-aughts, but technically they’re still around, although they’re even harder to find than someone who thinks Ron DeSantis will be president in 2024. In fact, comparing the “Don’t Say Gay” guy to RadioShack may be an even sicker burn than “Meatball Ron.”
Who on earth is Banksy? It’s a question that’s plagued the art world for over three decades. Though the elusive street artist has heroically managed to keep his identity hush-hush since the ‘90s, every now and then he manages to almost slip up. (Unless he’s fake-slipping up as part of his act, of course.) Back in 2018, people thought they’d finally divined who he was. Now, thanks to very old interview found by happenstance, we may finally know…well, his first name, at least.
Per HuffPost, former BBC correspondent Nigel Wrench unearthed an interview he did with Banksy from back in 2003. It’s so ancient that the chat was recorded on a minidisc. To make this discovery even better, Wright found it in a cupboard.
The interview was done for Banksuy’s “Turf War” exhibition, which was held in an east London warehouse. It begins innocently enough, with Wright testing his mic, then asking if it’s okay to use his full name, namely “Robert Banks.”
Banksy then casually corrects him, saying, “It’s Robbie.”
Audio from the interview has since been made public by the BBC. Wright says he’s always believed Banksy was on the level.
“There was no reason to think he was lying,” Wrench said, adding that he repeatedly called him “Robbie” throughout their chat. “No one has ever contacted me from the Banksy empire. No one ever contradicted that.
“If it wasn’t his real name, why wouldn’t he just go with ‘Yes, it’s Robert Banks?’” Wrench added. “I thought [after he said his name was Robbie] that it was absolutely his real name.”
Mind you, this is far from confirmation of Banksy’s identity. Allowing a journalist to call him by some name is absolutely something someone who wants to keep their identity under wraps would do, right? Surely artist who sold a painting for a fortune then had it shredded wouldn’t muck up this badly.
When dealing with a crowd (and a big meal), choosing versatile, easy-to-drink, and food-friendly wine is key — but we’re also not here to break the bank, either. We’ve ranked the 10 best wines for your Thanksgiving Dinner and, best of all, they all clock in under $30.
Snag a few, thank us later, and when in doubt, grab more than you think you’ll need.
Pét-nat is an old-school style of sparkling wine produced using the méthode ancestrale, meaning that the wine finishes its fermentation in the bottle and traps residual CO2—and thus, results in a slightly effervescent final wine. Heidi Schröck and her two sons produce this tasty example from 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Gris in the heart of Austria’s Burgenland region, and if you’ve never ventured into this style of bubbles before, this bottle is a great place to start.
Tasting Notes:
Bright, fizzy, and incredibly refreshing, this slightly sparkling wine shows flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, and hints of pear. When we say this wine is super easy to drink, we mean it.
The Bottom Line:
Pét-nats are known for their approachable nature and relatively lower levels of alcohol, both of which will come in handy when serving a crowd on Thanksgiving. Plus, your hipster/wine nerd friends will rejoice at this selection, too. Win-win.
No Thanksgiving Day meal is complete without a bottle of domestic Chardonnay, but we’re going to let you in on an unfortunate secret—most of the sub-$30 selections you’ll find are really not that good, meaning they’re either made poorly, or overpriced due to marketing, or a combination of the two. Thankfully, sommelier-turned-winemaker Patrick Cappiello has the answer. Crafted in the heart of Mendocino with organically-farmed fruit, this well-balanced bottle of Chardonnay promises to please a variety of preferences, as well as pair beautifully with basically everything on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Tasting Notes:
Two words: balance and refreshment. This 100% Chardonnay is produced from coastal-influenced fruit and vinified in a combination of steel and neutral oak barrels, ensuring that the wine maintains its acidity yet boasts enough texture to please Chardonnay lovers of all particular styles. Flavors of lemon, stone fruit, chalk, and a hint of smoke lead to a zesty, palate-coating finish.
The Bottom Line:
Forget the California ‘butter bombs’ you’ve had in the past—this delicious, restrained bottle of Chardonnay promises to blow your mind (and pair insanely well with mashed potatoes or root vegetables!)
The word Txakolina (chalk-oh-lee-na) may look intimidating, but rest assured, this is one of the most approachable bottles on our list. Spritzy, salty, and slightly effervescent, these unique wines are produced in northern Spain, and Ameztoi is doing so all organically and naturally.
Tasting Notes: Salty and savory, this Txakolina rosé jumps with lively flavors of sour red fruits, citrus rind, and coarse sea salt. This ain’t your aunt’s cheap pink wine!
The Bottom Line: If you think rosé isn’t your thing, think again. This saline-tinged spritz promises to blow your mind.
Domaine Dupeuble knows a thing or two about making great Beaujolais—no seriously, the estate has been running nonstop since 1512. Although tradition runs deep here, the family has made many positive changes over the years, including switching to sustainable farming practices and only using natural yeasts in the cellar. Like all reds from Beaujolais, this wine is crafted entirely from Gamay, which is known for its fruit-forwardness, high acid, and light tannins—AKA, a versatile dinner table match made in heaven.
Tasting Notes:
Gamay is truly the grape variety that can do it all. Wines produced from it are known for their light-on-their-feet nature, as well as their innate ability to please a crowd. This easy-drinking bottle is all things bright cherry, violet, and hints of crushed rocks.
The Bottom Line:
Beaujolais is deemed the king of Thanksgiving wine, and this bottle proves exactly why: it’s zesty, it’s fruit-forward, and it’s super easy to drink. Just be sure to serve it with a chill for maximum enjoyment.
Bodegas Naveran is a family-owned estate that has been producing high-quality sparkling wines since 1901. Today, the property comprises 110 hectares of vines, all of which are farmed organically. Cava is produced via the same method used in Champagne, so think of it like Champagne on a budget with a hint of Spanish flair.
Tasting Notes:
Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, this savory sparkler is made from the region’s quintessential blend of Xarell-o, Macabeo, and Parellada. Expect creamy notes of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers, and toast to lead to a long-lasting, effervescent finish.
The Bottom Line:
Nothing screams “holiday festivities” like a bottle of bubbles—and one that tastes like Champagne but doesn’t break the bank is a winner in our book.
Cleto Chiarli has long been a pillar in the world of Lambrusco production. If you’re not familiar with Lambrusco, make this Thanksgiving the year you dive in. A few years back, Cleto Chiarli collaborated with a handful of local organic farmers in the Castelvetro region of Italy to meet demand for their zesty, effervescent reds. Upon first taste, you’ll see what the buzz is all about.
Tasting Notes:
Frothy and fruit-forward, Cleto Chiarli’s organic Lambrusco offers juicy flavors of cherry, raspberry, blackberry… you get the picture. Think of it like a mouthful of all of your favorite berries smashed together into a delicious, slightly bubbly concoction.
The Bottom Line:
Lambrusco is the unsung hero of the wine world. It’s fizzy, it’s relatively low in alcohol, and it promises to keep you satiated between bites. What more could you want for Turkey Day?
Sokol Blosser has been pioneering Yamhill County viticulture since 1971. Today, the estate is spearheaded by the family’s second generation of growers, who farm all of the estate’s wines organically and sustainably. Pinot Noir is Oregon’s red wine claim to fame, and if you generally reach for Old World expressions, we promise this bottle will give you a run for your money.
Tasting Notes:
Juicy, earthy, and all-around crowd-pleasing, this go-to bottle of Pinot Noir shows flavors of bright red fruits, mushrooms, and hints of baking spice. There’s so much flavor packed in this single bottle of wine that we promise you’ll be reaching for more.
The Bottom Line:
Oregon and California both put out stellar bottles of Pinot, but those from the former are often likened to those from Burgundy, as they grow in similar climate conditions/at the same latitude. Think of it as the best of both worlds.
Château Trinquevedel is located in the appellation of Tavel, the only appellation in France dedicated entirely to rosé production. However, contrary to the pale-hued expressions from Provence, these darker-hued wines offer fuller-bodied styles of wine, which are packed with acidity and flavor. Think of them more like chillable light reds than rosés.
Tasting Notes:
Again, light red over rosé is the name of the game here. Full-bodied flavors of juicy strawberries, cherry skin, and orange blossom lead to a long, mouth-coating finish.
The Bottom Line:
Rosé is one of the most food-friendly styles of wines out there, and the proof is in this bottle from Trinquevedel. Pair it with literally anything on your Thanksgiving Day table — oh and don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because this bottle is darker-hued than most rosés doesn’t mean that it’s sweet or lower quality — actually, quite the opposite in this case!
2. Domaine des Aubuisières Cuvée de Silex Vouvray 2022
Bernard Fouquet is a master of Chenin Blanc. Based on the appellation of Vouvray, which is deemed one of the best places to grow the grape in the world, Fouquet’s ability to coax out sought-after nuances through organic farming and low-intervention winemaking practices renders his bottles some of the best to come out of the region year in and year out—the fact that they’re this affordable is kind of mind-blowing.
Tasting Notes:
Chenin Blanc is produced all over the flavor profile spectrum, from bone dry to seriously sweet. This expression is as dry as it comes, though make no mistake, the fruit flavors are abundant. Green apple, pear, flint, and hints of honey offer a lively, flavorful palate that promises to keep you reaching for another sip.
The Bottom Line:
The green apple and honey notes found in Chenin Blanc make it a match made in heaven with a variety of fall fare—think root vegetables, stuffing, and a variety of fresh salads.
Gamay’s claim to fame is generally found in Beaujolais, though well-made expressions can also be found in France’s northerly Loire Valley Region. This bottling from Terres Blondes is produced from organically farmed fruit. On the palate, it’s a bit lighter-bodied and more peppery than the expressions found in Beaujolais, and when served with a slight chill, it makes for the absolute perfect Turkey Day wine.
Tasting Notes:
Bright and zesty flavors of cherry, cranberry, orange peel, and hints of white pepper jump from this lively bottling. Organic Gamay of this quality for this price? This is a diamond in the rough.
The Bottom Line:
Gamay is the ultimate Thanksgiving Day wine, period. This expression is well made, tastes delicious, and clocks in under $20. Buy a case, you won’t regret it.
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