For a good long while Arrested Development has had a stable streaming home on Netflix. The service even ponied up for two more seasons! But all things must pass and on March 15, all 84 episodes will vamoose, at least for now.
The Mitch Hurwitz show was a groundbreaker when it bowed in 2003. Following the misadventures of the seriously screwed-up Bluth family, it was dense and breakneck-paced, each episode packed to the brim with oft-surreal jokes. It was never a ratings success, which is why it barely eked out a third season. It was one of those shows that really only took off when it was off-the-air, when people started obsessing over its DVD box sets. (Although Charlize Theron, who memorably appeared in a Season 3 stretch, credits it with saving her career.)
Netflix brought Arrested Development back in 2013, though the format was greatly changed. The show was still breakneck, but instead of telling its story in (mostly) linear order, most of the much-longer episodes focused on individual characters. Netflix later recut it for an alternate version that was more like the original run. The show came back once more, in 2018, but controversies involving Jeffrey Tambor, who played both George Sr. and his twin Oscar, tainted the show’s rep and it didn’t have the same cultural impact it once enjoyed.
Perhaps now that it’s all leaving Netflix, people might give that fifth and likely final season another try. You’ll have until the end of March 14 to hang with the bickering Bluths. At least they’ll still have Seinfeld.
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox might not be ready to throw the towel in just yet on their planned nuptials. Over the weekend, Fox caused quite a stir on social media. After the actress erased all the photos and videos of the two of them together, Fox then uploaded a photo carousel ending with an image of a letter burning in an open flame captioned with Beyoncé lyric, “You can taste the dishonesty / it’s all over your breath,” before following Kelly’s musical nemesis Eminem.
Fox has since deactivated her Instagram page, and according to People, this may have been for the best. The outlet has reported that while the couple may be in a rough patch in their relationship, a source exclusively told them, “They haven’t officially called off the engagement.”
However, the source wanted to drill home that Fox hasn’t yet spoken to Kelly after a fight over the weekend. Fox also took her engagement ring off, adding, “They have had issues in the past, but things seem pretty serious this time.”
The couple reportedly broke up in the past, but it was later disproven after being spotted in public together. In this case, it seems like the insider is confirming there is indeed trouble in paradise, better yet, Hotel Diablo.
Everything old is new again, especially in the Hollywood of today. During the Super Bowl, people freaked out over many things, including the appearance of Michael Keaton dusting off the batsuit he ditched over 30 years ago. But there are a few properties that won’t get revived any time soon. One is Back to the Future. Another is Elf.
In a new interview with Variety (in a bit teased out by Entertainment Weekly), Jon Favreau was asked about his first hit as a director, namely the 2003 Yuletide comedy. He’s moved on to other things; he basically created the MCU with the original Iron Man, he’s got The Mandalorian, and his last big screen effort was the live-action version of The Lion King. But that’s not the only reason he’s not returning to part of his roots.
“I think there’s always room for new Christmas movies,” Favreau told Variety. But with Elf, he said, “I don’t know what story would be told after that. It’s very complete.”
There actually was an Elf sequel in the works once upon a time, but it never materialized. Maybe it will at some point, featuring a much older — though presumably still boyish — Buddy Hobbs. Perhaps it will even wind up being helmed by Favreau. But for now and for the foreseeable future, you’ll just have to keep rewatching the original, which continues to be something lots of people like to do.
Everyone appreciates a story of true love that stands the test of time, even when it ends in loss. Emmy-winning screenwriter, director and producer Robert Weide has captured people’s hearts with a love story for the ages—one that just happens to be his own.
Weide is best known for directing and producing the first five seasons of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but he is currently in the spotlight for a more personal reason. His beloved wife, Linda, passed away in December 2022, and the obituary he wrote for her has gone viral for its pure love and charm.
Weide published the obituary in the Los Angeles Times, but also shared it on Twitter after other people started sharing it.
From the first line, we start to get a picture of the woman Weide was married to for 25 years.
“Linda Weide, my remarkable wife, believed everybody’s age was nobody’s business. Let’s just say she was ageless and timeless. She had a kind of elegance from another era,” he wrote.
Weide shared that she had been diagnosed with a rare, fatal neurological disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in 2018. She died at home on Christmas Day, peacefully, in Weide’s arms.
“If you must die, try to do it in the arms of someone who loves you,” he wrote. “It helps.”
u201cIt is with profound sadness that I report my dear, sweet wife, Linda Weide, of blessed memory, passed away on Christmas Day. My tribute to her in the L.A. Times only scratches the surface. If you click on the attached, please read to the end. You would have loved her.u201d
He described how they met on September 30, 1994. “I walked into Café Aroma in Studio City, and there she was,” he wrote. “She had it all—beauty, style, grace, intelligence, wit, a great laugh, a blinding smile and (can I say this in 2023?) legs that demanded to be shown off, and were.”
He said he wrote in his journal that night, “I think I may be in big trouble.” Thus began their 28-year-long relationship that included a 25-year marriage.
“She was remarkably low maintenance,” he continued. “We both appreciated the occasional meal in a fine restaurant and traveling abroad, but some years I’d ask what she wanted for her birthday and she would answer, ‘a grilled cheese sandwich.’ Typical. She was generous to a fault, always putting others’ needs before her own.”
Weide shared that his wife had a particular “soft spot” for animals in need. “Our own animals were all rescues, and friends would tell her, ‘If I can come back in another life, I want to be one of your animals.'” he wrote.
Linda was an actress and Weide shared some of her most memorable roles, but it’s clear her role as the leading lady in his life meant the most to him.
“What a team we made,” Weide wrote. “She was Gracie to my George. After we purchased side-by-side cemetery plots years ago, I asked her what she wanted her marker to say. She answered, ‘I’m with Stupid.’ (That request will not be honored.) Oh dear—what am I ever supposed to do without her?”
It can’t be easy to wrap up a tribute to the love of your life after they pass, but Weide did it beautifully.
“They say, ‘Nothing lasts forever,’ but they didn’t know about my love for her,” he wrote. “28 years wasn’t nearly long enough. Still, I may just be the luckiest SOB who ever lived. Rest well, Bunnie. I hope we’ll be together again.”
And finally, the perfect last line:
“For those who never knew her, I’m sorry for your loss.”
Weide has been “surprised and a bit overwhelmed” by how people have responded to the obituary, but he’s thrilled that so many people are getting a glimpse of
u201cI’ll admit, I’m surprised and a bit overwhelmed by the response to my tribute to my late wife, Linda. It was just a simple obit in the L.A. Times, and I only posted it on Twitter when others started to. I’m trying to read and u2764ufe0f every comment, but I’m falling behind…u201d
“I love that total strangers are confessing to tears and saying they can tell what a beautiful person Linda was. The fact that so many are getting a small taste of what I blessed with for 28 years is so moving,” he wrote on Twitter. “Many of the comments have made me cry, some make me laugh…Others make me shout, ‘Yes, yes!'”
“Anyway, my deepest appreciation to everyone who’s taken the time to read or ❤️ or comment on the tribute,” he continued. “You have made this new widower feel a little less lonely. And I know Linda sends her love, too.”
u201c…Others make me shout, “Yes, yes!” Anyway, my deepest appreciation to everyone who’s taken the time to read or u2764ufe0f or comment on the tribute. You have made this new widower feel a little less lonely. And I know Linda sends her love, too. I’ll post more photos when I can.u201d
Thank you, Bob Weide, for sharing your love story with the world. It seems you were right—we all would have loved Linda.
Read Weide’s obituary in full here. And if this story compels you to do something to honor Linda’s life, Weide suggests making a donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, her favorite animal shelter.
In case you missed it, there was a big game at Rihanna’s concert on February 12. It was a historic game all around, but one history-making element was that it was the first Super Bowl where brothers played against each other.
Jason and Travis Kelce are NFL players for two different teams; Jason plays for the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason won the 2018 Super Bowl with the Eagles, but in the 2023 sibling Super Bowl match-up, Travis took home the ring.
There was bound to be some rivalry between the two leading up to and during the game, but who are we kidding? They’re siblings, so the Super Bowl likely wasn’t their first run-in with rivalry. In fact, Travis, the younger Kelce, revealed on their podcast “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” that he was pretty jealous of his older brother’s accomplishments growing up.
“You had just been AP, music man, getting hit up by Ivy League schools. ‘I’m going to go walk on and be a freaking superhero.’ Oh, you are. And then you get a scholarship and you made mom and dad’s life that much easier. Then you get drafted. Then you win a Super Bowl. It was just like, Travis (makes noise with his mouth),” the younger Kelce said in a clip shared to TikTok.
Pretty sure most siblings have been in Travis’s shoes. It seems like most families have one child that just knocks it out of the park no matter what they try to do, and the other siblings are left feeling a bit like they’re standing in the shadows. But Jason wanted to make sure Travis knew the immense emotion he felt watching him win the Super Bowl.
“It’s better in some ways because you’re watching a loved one accomplish their dreams,” Jason told his brother.
The conversation was such a great display of sportsmanship and brotherly love that you can’t help but to smile throughout the whole video.
“It’s better in some ways because you’re watching a loved one accomplish their dreams” The Kelces spoke about what it meant to watch their brother win the Super Bowl ❤️
The NBA is getting ready to negotiate its new media rights deal, and while Disney (ESPN/ABC) and Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT) have exclusive negotiation windows through April 2024 to extend their packages, other potential suitors for NBA broadcasts are starting to line up.
While Disney is expected to retain a strong package, there’s a bit more mystery around WBD and what they’ll do — although re-signing the entire Inside the NBA crew longterm is a bit of an indication they’ll look to stay in the NBA business. As such, there’s a real possibility of the first major shakeup to the NBA rights package in 20 years, and it’s a bit fitting that one of the leading contenders is the network that used to carry the league’s premier games.
According to CNBC, NBC is looking to add the NBA back to its portfolio on NBC Sports, seeking a package that includes playoff games.
NBCUniversal executives have informed the NBA of their interest, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. NBC Sports wants a package that would include playoff games to air on NBC’s broadcast network, two of the people said. Some regular season games could be exclusive to NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock. The NBA could also decide to force media companies to simulcast all games on streaming to increase reach, the people said.
Apple and Amazon have also expressed interest to the NBA in buying carved-out streaming packages, said people familiar with the matter. Amazon currently has a deal with the NBA allowing it to stream games in Brazil.
NBC currently only has the NFL on Sunday Night Football among the Big Four men’s sports leagues, with golf, Premier League soccer, and the Olympics as their other main properties. Getting back into NBA broadcasting would be a hefty commitment, and it’ll be interesting to see if the NBA feels there’s enough value in taking a broadcast deal that allows for streaming exclusive games. This is a long way out and far from a certainty, but fans of the 90s NBA will certainly have positive association with the NBA on NBC and the possible return of Roundball Rock.
In short: Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-basketball.
The streaming question is also one that is particularly interesting going into these negotiations, as Adam Silver has voiced his concerns with the current state of regional sports networks and the blackout policy. I think ideally, the NBA would love to include their League Pass product and restructure its blackout rules, not unlike how Apple TV+ took over Major League Soccer’s broadcast rights. The difference, of course, is that the NBA is a much bigger product and it’d probably be a much bigger fight with RSNs to change contracts, but it is an intriguing possibility.
Last year, Snail Mail announced the Valentine Fest, a five-night concert experience curated by Lindsey Jordan herself.
“It’s been almost five years since I’ve played my hometown,” she said about Baltimore, MD in a statement. The lineup was a secret until recently, and it exceeded expectations, featuring artists like Soccer Mommy (who she sang with at the Pavement exhibition), Mac DeMarco (who she released a silly song with the other month), Waxahatchee, Mannequin Pussy, and more.
As the festival continues to flourish, the pleasant surprises during the event have been plentiful. For instance, one of the encore songs on Saturday night (February 11) was Snail Mail’s cover of Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You” alongside Soccer Mommy. The rose-filled performance was met with many woos from the audience recognizing the classic. The nostalgia is palpable as everyone sings along; it was definitely a highlight of the night.
The Valentine Fest takes place from February 10 through February 14, with a different roster of performers each night to keep things exciting and mysterious for the concertgoers. We’ll see who else joins the stage in the coming days; there are sure to be more memorable moments.
Watch Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy cover “I’m With You” by Avril Lavigne above.
George Santos isn’t just a serial fabulist who’s lied about some veryoddthings; his campaign finances are also super sketchy. For the last few weeks, people have been struggling to sort out the mess that is the newly sworn-in GOP lawmaker’s financial records. Among the many red flags is this one: There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexplained spending, which no proof of where they went or for what.
A new report from The New York Times highlights a mysterious $365,399.08, about 12 percent of the campaign’s total reported expenses. There are no recipients or receipts for these expenditures. For context, Santos’ fellow New York House members failed to itemize between zero and 2 percent of their expenses.
The report highlights other eyebrow-raising behavior. Several donors told NYT that the Santos campaign had misrepresented how much they’d given. Ditto other Republican candidates who had received donations from him. What’s more, the campaign has amended its filings a whopping 36 times. Some of those times, some payments had suddenly gone up or simply disappeared.
Whether the discrepancies are mere sloppiness or something more underhanded is up in the air. One discovery feels more like the latter: There are a slew of payments for exactly $199.99, a mere two cents below the point where they’d have to provide receipts. Some of these payments were added to older spending reports, but none of them had any description beyond the date they were made.
Whatever the explanation, lawyers are having a bear of a time sifting through the wreckage of Santos’ campaign finances, with one telling NYT they’re “all over the place and do not make any sense.” He added, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Trugoy The Dove’s passing has continued to send chills throughout the hip-hop community. As one of the founding members of the legendary rap trio De La Soul, his artistry has had a significant impact on today’s newer acts as well as many of his peers. Multi-hyphenated talent Common was among his peers inspired by his lyrical abilities.
Devastated by the news of Trugoy’s passing, Common took to social media to share a touching tribute for his late friend. The activist opened the tribute by recounting their initial meeting, writing, “It was around 88’ when one of my best friends brought back a Red Alert tape from NYC. On it was a song called “Plug Tunin” from a group called De La Soul. It was one of the most innovative, fresh, unique songs & sounds I had ever heard. This group would then drop their album ‘3 Feet High And Rising,’ and it changed my life. They would become one of my favorite groups of all time and one of the greatest groups of all time. One of MCs was Trugoy, the Dove who I would get to know as Dave. All I needed to hear was his flow on Afro Connection at the Hi 5 to know he was one of our greatest innovators and stylish with a way with words MCs that hip hop had never seen or heard.”
Common then went on to talk about the first time working with the group, “In 96, De La would give me one of the greatest gifts of my life when they featured me on their song the ‘Bizness’ (which I believe Dave produced). They changed my life again! They took me in to live with them in Long Island (forever Love to Maseo and Tina).”
The actor then closed with how over the years, the pair had become more than just collaborators but family, “The way Pos, Maseo, Dave treated me was like a brother. They took me on tour with them. It was my first trip to London. Just being on a song with De La gave me a stamp of the highest level. And during that process, I formed a real friendship and brotherhood with each member, including Dave, who would show me dope indie movies like ‘kids’ and take me to get the Jamaican patties out in Long Island,” adding, “I studied Dave and his creativity and how he worked and functioned. I actually bit one of his nicknames and made it a song. The Sun God. The truth is he has been one of the greatest influences and inspirations in my life. I will miss you, brother. You are loved beyond words, and I am praying for all of your family, which is our family. Love you, Dave! GOD Bless your Soul.”
Common wasn’t the only musician to take to social media after discovering the news. Pharrell, Quest Love, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, Erick Sermon, 9th Wonder, Redman, and more have also shared posts honoring Trugoy.
Pierre Ferrand/Maison Surrene/Hennessy/Dudognon/istock/Uproxx
Valentine’s Day is a perfect time for warming, aged spirits. And while you can’t go wrong with the tried and true bourbon, rye, and single malt Scotch that likely already adorn your liquor cabinet shelves en masse, sometimes it’s great to have a silky, sultry change of pace to sip on this (made up but still hot) holiday.
That means cognac. You know, the warming brandy variation that comes from the Cognac region (and a few surrounding areas) in France. And while we know we enjoy a nice snifter of cognac on a cold winter night, which bottle to actually crack open for a smooth V-day is a little more difficult.
Brittany Horsey, mixologist at The Bellmoor Inn and Spa in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware prefers the mellow, sweet, easy-sipping flavor of Courvoisier.
“It’s easy to sip with no burn like some cognacs, it is my go-to for a nice sippy drink. I prefer straight for a cozy warm feeling by the fire pit.”
While we agree with Horsey’s pick, we’re also open to other options as well. That’s why we turned to some other professionals for help. We asked a handful of well-known mixologists and bartenders to tell us the best cognacs to drink this Valentine’s Day. Keep scrolling to see all of their picks.
Dudognon 10 Year Reserve. This Grande Champagne cognac is made by an independent producer and the brandy is approachable. The name is fun to say and it’s imported by the GOAT Charles Neal.
Tasting Notes:
Flavors of dried citrus peel, light vanilla notes, and a dry finish make this a memorable, wintry cognac.
My go-to Cognac in winter is Sazerac de Forge Cognac, it is warm and sweet, and easy to drink. I can sip it on a sniffer or mix it in either a hot or cold cocktail.
Tasting Notes:
I get notes of sweet grapes, raisins, and light oak. It’s a complex, easy-drinking cognac that you’ll want to always have on hand, especially Valentine’s.
Kelt Tour de Monde XO
Kelt
Mikee Hardison, bartender at American Barrel in Columbia, Tennessee
Kelt Tour de Monde XO Cognac. Not only is it a great spirit aged to XO they also sail it around the world in oak barrels for a truly authentic cognac experience.
Tasting Notes:
Bringing it back to the days before bottling was done in France so those light briny, maritime flavors shine in the finish.
H By Hine
Hine
Roberto Cibrian Stockbridge, USBG Bartender in Boston
H by Hine. A great cognac for mixing. Bold enough to not get lost in a cocktail, while still being smooth and floral. Essentially all you could ever want in a cocktail cognac.
Tasting Notes:
Flavors of honey, caramel, dried fruits, toasted marshmallows, and gentle floral flavors make this a unique sipper.
One of the best cognacs to be sipping this winter is Hennessy VSOP. It’s a great progression for those who enjoy drinking American whiskey like rye or bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
This is a great winter cognac because of its soothing texture that coats the palate with lingering notes of baked fruits and brown sugar.
Hardy VSOP. I like this one, as it is still one of the few family-owned Cognac producers out there. Hardy drinks easy and I feel it is far superior than anything else out there.
Tasting Notes:
Leather, fruit, and slight caramel flavors are a delicious combination, and yet the overall balance of the three makes the Hardy VSOP the best around.
Maison Surrenne Petite Champagne
Maison Surrenne
Sean Pantazi, director of beverage at The Ritz-Carlton in Lake Tahoe, California
It is my opinion that there is no better Cognac House than that of one of the largest remaining family-producers; Maison Surrenne. Their Petite Champagne is an incredible bargain, but if you can get your hands on the Tonneau No. 1 with an average age of blended cognacs being 150 years old, get it. I have also had the luxury of enjoying one of the finest liquids ever put into a bottle, that being the Maison Surrenne Cask 356. This one cannot be improved upon in any way.
Tasting Notes:
A complex flavor palate is highlighted by flavors of dried fruits, caramel, almond cookies, and rich oak.
My go-to is the Hine Rare VSOP. It represents a very high-quality cognac for not a whole lot of money. It’s great for making cocktails and adding a bit of elegance to drinks.
Tasting Notes:
It has floral notes, walnuts, and apricots on the nose. The palate is all fruit, vanilla beans, and creamy caramel.
Hennessy XO. Deep and powerful, the eaux-de-vie of this Hennessy X.O cognac are aged in young barrels and marked out by their power and energy, but also by their capacity to achieve a great roundness through time.
Tasting Notes:
The palate is warmly embraced by flavors of candied fruit. It has the well-rounded flavor of rich, dark chocolate. Perfect to create any drinks during winter and easy to smoke and have great balance on the flavor profile.
Pierre Ferrand 1840
Pierre Ferrand
Linda Garcia, bartender at Tiki Chick in New York City
Pierre Ferrand 1840 is a great and affordable cognac. Smooth enough to sip on its own or mix in a brandy Alexander with an abv of 45% to keep you warm during the chilly months.
Tasting Notes:
This memorable cognac is loaded with flavors of tobacco, baking spices, and pear. It’s reasonably priced and incredibly warming.
Remy Martin 1738
Remy Martin
Hakon Bream, restaurant and bar manager for Hotel San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, California
Remy Martin 1738 cognac has a deep amber hue and bold allspice and caramel aromas. This cognac is the perfect middle ground between Remy’s VSOP and XO cognacs in both taste and price.
Tasting Notes:
Notes of butterscotch and spicy fruits lead to a smooth finish with oak and dark chocolate.
Frapin 1270
Frapin
Javelle Taft, head bartender at Death & Co in New York City
I’ve leaned into family-owned Frapin 1270 cognac from the Grand Champagne region. I’ve mixed this up with sazerac variations and French 75 riffs. It’s a must-have for the winter months.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is honeyed with hints of a floral bouquet. The taste is luscious berries with traces of raisin and cocoa.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
