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As Moon Knight racks up rave reviews about Oscar Isaac‘s performance as the Marvel’s newest live-action hero, a lot of viewers are getting their first taste of the mystical comic book character. In fairness, it’s totally fine to not be familiar with Moon Knight — or even know who the heck he is — because he’s never really been one of Marvel marquee titles like Spider-Man or the X-Men. Like the Guardians of the Galaxy before him, Moon Knight is kind of an obscure character, but all of that’s about to change as he enters the big leagues with his new Disney+ series.

Until then, it’s natural to have questions about Moon Knight like, for example, the big one: Is he an Avenger? As far as the Marvel Comics are concerned, the answer is yes. Over the years, Moon Knight has been a member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and has lent his mystical fighting powers to the team. Granted, he’s not a permanent part of the original roster, and his dissociative identity disorder has led to clashes with other members, but Moon Knight has often joined the Avengers’ call to battle when needed.

As for Oscar Isaac’s version of the character, the MCU’s Moon Knight is not an Avenger — yet. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, there has been talk of building a new Avengers team, which would follow in the footsteps of the comics by shaking up its roster. As Phase 4 of the MCU films seem to have prominent focus on magic, and the mystical forces of the multiverse, Moon Knight seems like a lock to eventually join the team given he’ll have significant experience with battling the supernatural world by the end of his limited series.

Moon Knight premieres March 30 on Disney+ with new episodes streaming on Wednesday.

If you thought issuing a lengthy press release bragging about hitting a hole in one on the golf course would be the strangest thing done by Donald Trump today, well, you’re more optimistic than us. You’re also wrong because Trump literally outdid himself by pleading with pal Vladimir Putin to dig up dirt on Hunter Biden.

Speaking with the right-wing publication Just the News, Trump once again brought up his baseless conspiracy theory against President Joe Biden’s son. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Hunter Biden’s connection to an investment firm was exploited by Republicans hoping to damage Joe Biden’s White House run. And, seeing as Trump looks to be eyeing another shot at the presidency, he’s returned to his favorite schtick of accusing the Bidens of corruption by way of international kickbacks.

In his interview, Trump once again brought up a $3.5M dollar payment made by Elena Baturina, the widow of late Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, to a company called Rosemont Seneca Thorton. Hunter Biden was at one time the CEO of an investment firm called Rosemont Seneca Advisors. Though the connection between the two companies (if there even is one) is a bit blurry, Biden’s attorney has denied he ever received money from Baturina. Of course, Trump claims the money was a kickback, paid to Hunter Biden in exchange for favors from his father though there’s absolutely no proof of that.

Still, Trump is so hung up on Hunter that even now, as Russia wages war with Ukraine, he’s begging his mass-murdering buddy Putin to find out whether his corruption conspiracy theory is actually true.

“She gave him $3.5 million so now I would think Putin would know the answer to that. I think he should release it,” he said (via The Independent). “I think we should know that answer.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has recruited Russian assistance in damaging an opponent’s reputation — remember Hillary Clinton’s emails? — but it’s likely Putin’s put his favorite hobby of trying to destabilize American democracy by catering to the whims of a former reality TV star on the backburner for now. You know, because he has a peaceful country to invade and innocent men, women, and children to murder.

(Via The Independent)

Since most bands had to cancel their 2020 shows due to the pandemic, all the announcements for live shows coming in 2022 are hitting in a different way. Like today’s news that The National are embarking on their first North American tour since fall of 2019. The band is hitting the road all summer, bringing along a stacked set of openers with them, as they tour across America and several festivals along the way. For their part, the band seems happier than ever to get back on the road after taking the time at home during the pandemic and using it for rest and reflection. Or, well, some of them did — other members, like Aaron Dessner, used it to work with superstar Taylor Swift on her best album to date, but that’s another story.

“We are excited to finally share our full tour itinerary for summer 2022,” The National said in a press release. “The last couple years have given us ample time for reflection and rejuvenation. Summer 2022 is a time for reunion. We look forward to gathering with friends, old and new. United in music and light, suspended in time. We hope you can join us.”

Openers for their dates will include Japanese Breakfast, Bartees Strange, and Lucy Dacus, so this is not a bill to miss. Check out the dates below and pre-order tickets here.

07/15 — Chicago, IL @ Union Park / Pitchfork Festival
07/17 — Ottawa, ONT @ LeBreton Flats / Ottawa Bluesfest
07/19 — Shelburne, VT @ The Green at Shelburne Museum
07/20 — Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang
07/21 — Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point
07/22 — Newport, RI @ Fort Adams State Park / Newport Folk Festival
08/06 — Edmonton, ALB @ Gallagher Park / Edmonton Folk Festival
08/07 — Calgary, ALB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
08/08 — Missoula, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater
08/09 — Ogden. UT @ Ogden Amphitheater
08/10 — Dillon, CO @ Dillon Amphitheater
08/12 — Bellevue, NE @ Falconwood Park / Outlandia Music Festival
08/14 — Seattle, WA @ Seattle Center / Day In Day Out Festival
09/12 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/13 — Kansas City, MO @ Grinders KC
09/14 — Minneapolis, MN @ Surly Brewing Festival Field
09/16 — Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater
09/17 — Maryland Heights, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park
09/18 — Indianapolis, IN @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
09/19 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts
09/22 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
09/24 — Harrisburg, PA @ Harrisburg University
09/25 — Bridgeport, CT @ Seaside Park / Sound on Sound Festival

Jimmy Kimmel was just as shocked as the rest of the world as he watched Will Smith smack Chris Rock in the face in the middle of Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony. On Monday night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host shared a clip of the incident, which he compared to the time “Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ears.”

Kimmel, of course, is no stranger to Oscars ceremonies-gone-wrong. He has hosted the awards twice now, including in 2017, when La La Land was mistakenly announced as the year’s Best Picture when, in fact, it was Moonlight that had won the award. But Kimmel knows that this year’s antics have now put that ceremony in second place among the wildest things to ever happen at the Oscars. And while he admitted that he was shocked as he watched the slap heard ‘round the world go down, he also admitted that he was slightly confused:

“The weird part is that initially Will Smith laughed at that joke. But then he must’ve looked over and noticed that Jada was not amused. He’s like, ‘Uh-oh, I better do something.’ And boy did he do something! I mean, in one stunning moment, the night went from #OSCARSSOWHAT to #OSCARSSOWHAAAAT?!?!.

No one could have predicted the most controversial movie of 2022 G.I. Jane, but it was. This was the Hollywood version of your drunk uncle starting a fight, ruining the wedding, and then standing up and giving a long toast to the bride and groom.”

You can watch Kimmel’s full conversation about it above.

As the world still reels from the events of Oscar Sunday, many are weighing in on the now-infamous Will Smith Slap that left Chris Rock virtually speechless. Finally, Richard Willaims, the subject of Smith’s King Richard film that earned him his Oscar, has reacted to the ordeal.

“We don’t know all the details of what happened,” Richard Williams, via his son Chavoita LeSane, told NBC News. (LeSane has been acting as Williams’ spokesperson over the past few years.) “But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defense.” The Academy also condemned Smith’s violence and allegedly launched an investigation into the events. But…we all saw it happen.

Smith won his Oscar for portraying Richard Williams moments after the slap happened. Williams is the father and coach of tennis superstars Venus and Serena. In Smith’s speech, he spoke through tears as he said: “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in his world…I am being called on in my life to love people and to protect people.”

Yesterday, Smith released a lengthy statement apologizing to The Academy, Rock, and the Williams family. “I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”

Though Rock has yet to comment on the debacle, sources claim he and Smith have talked it out.

At the moment, Doja Cat’s future seems unclear. Late last week, in response to fans from Paraguay complaining Doja wasn’t posting about the country enough when she was there, and she responded, “i f*ckin quit i can’t wait to f*cking disappear and i don’t need you to believe in me anymore. Everything is dead to me, music is dead, and i’m a f*cking fool for ever thinking i was made for this this is a f*cking nightmare.”

A few days later, Doja offered an apology for what she said, which presumably left at least some fans thinking that everything was alright and Doja no longer plans to leave music. Now, though, it looks like that may not be the case after all.

MIX 105.1 shared a post about Doja’s apology yesterday and tweeted, “Ok so maybe @DojaCat isn’t retiring.” Doja went ahead and refuted that speculation, replying, “yes the f*ck i am.”

Meanwhile, she recently shared a message about the death of Taylor Hawkins, tweeting, “I just found out through my team that a legend has passed today so I just want to send love and healing to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins and the Foo Fighters. Rest in peace to a man with a beautiful young heart and wicked talent.”

Summer is on its way, and if you’re anything like me that means one thing: road trips. Specifically, to visit National and State Parks. Of course, with gas prices spiking, a road trip across the country may not be feasible. Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to travel far to have that summer road trip experience. There are parks just a short drive away from every major US city – some well known and some less so.

San Francisco is one of my favorite big cities in the US for spring and summer. It has so much to offer, from food to parties to incredible vistas. Even more importantly, it’s located near some of my top picks for parks and weekend road trip destinations across the country. You don’t have to travel far outside the city for any of them.

Here are the best road trips within just 200 miles of San Francisco:

Yosemite National Park – 170ish miles

Yosemite is one of the undisputed crown jewels of not just the National Park system, but of the United States as a whole. Stepping into the valley is like entering another world. But despite feeling removed from everything, Yosemite is just 170 miles or so from San Francisco.

With five entrances, you have options on your road trip – to say the least. The park encompasses 1,169 square miles – 94% of which is designated wilderness – and is home to some of the most iconic vistas of the American West.

What to do:

The options are nearly endless. With over 750 miles of trails in the Yosemite Wilderness, it’s an outdoor lover’s playground. The valley is legendary and worth at least a day of your time to just meander and absorb the incredible landscapes around you. Grab a drink and have the most memorable happy hour of your life on the banks of the Merced.

Head to Yosemite Falls Trail or try your luck at nabbing a permit to hike Half Dome.

But be aware: you’ll need a reservation to enter the park between 6am and 4pm from May 20 – September 30 this year. They are released March 23 here.

Where to stay:

This can be trickier than you might imagine. There are plenty of options ranging from campgrounds to short term rentals to traditional hotels and resorts, but they book up incredibly fast for a premium. There are also many rentals who advertise as being close to the park but that will actually add another hour or more onto your driving time.

I generally visit in the colder months and opt to stay in Oakhurst, which is just 16 miles from the Southern entrance of the park. Of course, once you enter the South entrance it is another 45 minutes to an hour drive to get into the valley – but I like this entrance. It will give you jaw dropping views of the valley and take you through the famous tunnel view on your way down. There are a few new major chain hotels in Oakhurst, but I often opt for the more quaint (and allegedly haunted) Sierra Sky Ranch.

Camping is available in the park, of course, but fills up extremely fast. This year there are no first-come, first-serve sites – all open campgrounds are reservation only. The system can be accessed here.

Point Reyes National Seashore – 43 miles

One of my absolute favorite places in the country to visit is just outside of the Bay Area but feels a world away. Point Reyes National Seashore, to me, is a fairytale come to life. From the rocky headlands and beautiful beaches (where you might catch a glimpse of an elephant seal!), to the infamous cypress tree tunnel – this National Seashore has it all.

Tucked away and unassuming, the transition from city to country happens fast. I could feel my stress melt away as I drove down the winding roads towards Tomales Bay on my recent trip. It is a must.

What to do:

What can’t you do around Point Reyes? Hike Divide Meadow or Mount Wittenberg, kayak on the sea, bike through the park, visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse, and Tule Elk Reserve. Spend some time exploring the four towns on the Peninsula: Bolinas, Olema, Inverness, and Point Reyes Station. I always stop in Bolinas and at the nearby Nicasio Valley Cheese Company when I’m in the area.

If you have time, try to stop and spend some time at Mount Tamalpais State Park on the drive out – just 37 miles from the city and 21 to Point Reyes. Muir Woods is also nearby.

Where to stay:

There are several small towns in the area with some bed and breakfasts, and some short term rentals. Camping is open at Bootjack and Pantoll campgrounds at Mount Tamalpais State Park as well as group camping and Steep Ravine Cabins.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – Big Sur – 140 miles

There is nothing quite like Big Sur. It’s the image that comes to my mind when dreaming of a California coastal road trip. And while it is fairly remote and undeveloped (with just 1800-2000 full-time residents on the 71 mile stretch of coastline) – it’s still just 140 miles from San Francisco, the perfect length for a short summer getaway.

What to do:

Big Sur has been famously detached from most cell service (although that is changing slightly) and with just one major road – highway 1 – the name of the game is solitude and peace. I always visit Pfeiffer Beach to roam around on the purple sand, then try to nab a spot at the outdoor bar seating at Nepenthe to enjoy a South Coast Margarita with a million-dollar view.

You’ll want to make time for McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – the quintessential California Coast photo op. Explore the park then head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library.

Where to stay:

Big Sur can come with a big price tag. Due to the remote location, there aren’t a lot of options and airbnbs are very limited. There is some private and public camping – but it fills up fast. Camping on the road is illegal, so make sure to get your spot in advance. Or save your coins for a splurge like Ventana Big Sur or the Post Ranch Inn.

Mendocino Headlands State Park – Mendocino Coast – 155 miles

Travel north on the Pacific Coast Highway for another unforgettable short road trip to the Mendocino Coast. While it lacks some of the name recognition of others on this list, that is a good thing. Trust me. The Mendocino Coast encompasses Mendocino County – a county with over ninety miles of pristine coastline. Portions of the legendary undeveloped Lost Coast of California are located within Mendocino County, along with several quaint small towns, state parks, and the famous Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.

What to do:

Head to Mendocino Headlands State Park for some otherworldly beauty. Between the undeveloped bluffs, opportunities to whale watch, and trails, it is a peaceful respite. If you visit in July be sure to check out the eclectic Mendocino Music Festival. Another great option is the Big River Unit of the state park, where you can enter the wetlands to hike, canoe and kayak. It is just in between two other state parks – Mendocino Woodlands and Van Damme.

Where to stay:

There are lots of options for lodging and camping in the area. From resorts to bed and breakfasts to short term rentals – you can find nearly anything you need. I recommend looking in Fort Bragg. For camping, check out Hendy Woods State Park, Mendocino Woodlands State Park or the stylish glamping spot – Mendocino Grove.

Monterey/Carmel-by-the-sea – 120 miles

Winding down the PCH to the south are the coastal enclaves of Monterey and the aptly named Carmel-by-the-Sea. Just four miles apart, you can cover a lot of bases in both towns during a weekend escape. I prefer the quaint bohemian vibes of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where houses have names instead of addresses and Clint Eastwood is a former mayor. It is an interesting town to visit, but an even more beautiful natural area – with tons of beaches and state parks.

What to do:

I always visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It has the sort of coastline views that take your breath away, and hiking that will do the same. I recommend visiting China Cove, then taking a hike on Bird Island Trail, Moss Cove Trail or South Shore Trail.

Other great options are Asilomar State Beach on the Monterey Peninsula and Garrapata State Park – hike Soberanes Point and Whale Peak – make sure to keep an eye out for whales and dolphins.

Where to stay:

There are ample options for hotels and resorts, but like many beach destinations they can be pricey. There are some public and private campgrounds in the area, but book early!

Amelia Meath, singer of Sylvan Esso, was in a Zoom audition for a movie when her iMessage app on her laptop started blowing up with texts. Instinctively, she silenced it and continued reading through the scene without thinking much about it. Once she got out, she checked her phone and saw that everyone was calling her to congratulate her on being nominated for a Grammy. “I yelled a lot,” she says succinctly, then adds: “There was a lot of yelling.”

Sylvan Esso, whose other half is producer and Meath’s husband Nick Sanborn, have their sprawling 2020 LP Free Love up for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album alongside Black Coffee’s Subconsciously, Illenium’s Fallen Embers, Major Lazer’s, Music Is The Weapon (Reloaded), Marshmello’s Shockwave, and Ten City’s Judgement. The album, their third, was met with critical acclaim, with Consequence Of Sound calling it “arguably the best the band have put out so far” and The Line Of Best Fit describing it as “Sylvan Esso at their most cohesive.” It was hard not to enjoy and praise Free Love; it had an inexplicable gravitational pull embedded into its vibrant sonic textures.

When Uproxx talked to the pair ahead of the release of Free Love, they emphasized their confidence, which was a result of their success in touring on their prior record WITH, as well as just spending enough time together to feel comfortable trying new things. Meath and Sanborn still love the record now, a year and a half or so later: “It just feels like the best songs we’ve ever written and the weirdest stuff we’ve ever done,” Meath reflects. Sanborn adds: “To me, it feels like it’s the most open and strange, and it’s my favorite lyrics that we’ve written. It feels the most us to me.”

This, though, is how they feel after working on any record; they realize this with laughter. “I guess,” Sanborn says, “I’m worried about the day when the last thing we make isn’t my favorite thing.” At this rate, that day will probably never come. Their discography is clean with all of the albums flowing into each other seamlessly, and the music steadily getting better every time. “Free Love feels like a conclusion,” Sanborn contemplates. “Those first three records are like a trilogy to me now. But I don’t think I felt that that way when we were making them.”

Despite their appreciation for Free Love, they don’t feel like they’re the same people they were when they were making it, which was mostly in 2019. “Is anybody that same person they were in 2019?” Sanborn says. Meath agrees, saying, “That’s like thinking about when you were like a little baby.” That is the effect of the pandemic; the stress and weirdness of these unprecedented times has made us collectively feel as though we’ve been aging faster. At the same time, the album release was not complete to them until late last year, when they were finally able to play the songs live. Their tour kicked off at Edgefields, outside of Portland, Oregon. Recalling the show, Meath sighs dreamily and says, “It felt really, really good.” Sanborn adds, “It was absolutely magical.”

It makes the risky act of putting out an album worth it. Meath laments the process of sharing such an intimate, vulnerable part of herself with the world: “You spend all of your time trying to be as articulate as possible about how you feel and your experience with the world and then everyone takes that and… it’s like when you’re trying to communicate and it feels isolating because no one ever really understands what you’re saying. Or the thing you are saying they can only relate to it through their own experience, which is kind of nice in a lot of ways. But it also means that the amount of time that you invested trying to be articulate just kind of disappears in the wind.”

Sanborn adds: “There’s this whole period where it’s just yours, and the minute it’s out there it becomes about other people. That has its own benefits. There’s parts of that wonderful, but it can never really be yours again.”

It makes sense that this would be a worry for the duo. What a lot of fans love about Sylvan Esso is their unbridled honesty and transparency that imbues their pulsating tracks with a warm sincerity. The emotional nakedness is as vital to their music as the effervescence. Still, their fear never stops them from setting their creations free into the wild, and they’re rewarded for it not just with the pure joy of shows and the laud from critics, but also with award nominations. Sanborn was with his parents when he found out about the Grammy news: “How often do you get that — like, actually having the little kid experience of a cool thing happening while you’re with your parents?” he says. “I think when you choose kind of a nonstandard life, there’s part of that that’s kind of isolating because your success is harder to translate to your friends and family. Things that are a big deal to you might not be a very big deal to them. But there’s a couple of things that transcend that, and the Grammys in music is one of them. Everybody gets how big of a deal that is.”

The Grammys are less than a month away during this chat, but they giggle mischievously at the idea of having a speech prepared. “Maybe we’ll make a list the night before of people we actually want to thank,” Meath poses. Sanborn agrees, “Yeah I would have to do that because I will absolutely forget in the chance that we do win this thing.” They’re also presenting awards at the premiere ceremony, but they don’t know much about that either. “They were just like, ‘Do you want to do it?’ We were like, ‘Yeah!’ It means I get to wear two outfits, which I’m excited about,” Meath beams. This is the spontaneous, silly energy that livens Free Love; they go with the flow, braving the future with only infectious excitement and a deep trust within themselves and each other.

The 2022 Grammys airs April 3 at 8:30 pm EST. Find out how to watch it here.

The NFL’s overtime rules have been a topic of conversation for a long time. They used to be sudden death, with the first score of any time winning the game, which many complained put too much emphasis on the coin toss. That led to an update to the rule that made it so the team that got possession first only won if they scored a touchdown, with the other team getting a chance at striking back after a field goal — and it being sudden death from there.

That still puts a heavy advantage on winning the coin toss, and has led to some frustrations, particularly for teams that lose in overtime in the postseason without a chance to have the ball. The argument against changing the rule is that defense is part of the game and while a disadvantage to lose the toss, you still have the opportunity to get a stop and get a win, but many teams still see it as unfair, particularly given the offensive explosion around the NFL.

The Bills’ loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs this year is the most recent example of a team losing without getting the ball in overtime, and it led to a proposal from the Colts and Eagles to change the overtime rules to allow both teams possession. Ultimately, a compromise was reached to change the rule for the playoffs, but keep it as it was for the regular season.

This will at the very least lead to less controversy after overtime finishes in the postseason, which seems like a positive development and should produce more drama as teams will have the chance to answer a touchdown in an extra period.

Imagine opening a box of Frosted Flakes and finding not a toy robot or glow-in-the-dark pen inside, but tampons and pads. That’s the prize that comes with every box of Loopholes.

No, Loopholes isn’t a real cereal brand. But the statistics its faux commercial brings up are.

Currently one in four teenagers who menstruate in the U.S. do not have access to period products, not to mention those who are homeless or incarcerated. And as the Loopholes website notes, these people are faced every month with the choice between buying food or buying pads or tampons, as no major government programs support period care. While, yes, the FDA does consider these items “medical products,” programs to help low income individuals such as SNAP and WIC classify them as “luxuries,” which puts them in the same category as pet foods, cigarettes and alcohol.

The federal programs do, however, cover food. Hence … Loopholes.

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Behold, a cereal commercial like no other:

As the catchy pop song suggests, because the government helps people buy food (not period products), every box of Loopholes comes with tampons and pads inside.

It’s technically food. So it’s technically covered.

Though rarely talked about, period poverty is an actual public health crisis. The financial burden leaves many to attempt reusing single-use period products, or resorting to socks, rags or paper … if not choosing to forgo using anything and bleeding through clothes. All of which can, to no one’s surprise, cause an infection.

To address period poverty, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng introduced the Menstrual Equity For All Act (ME4ALL), an initiative to help make these products more accessible.

The bill would include:

• Incentivizing colleges and universities to implement pilot programs that provide free menstrual products to students
• Ensuring that incarcerated individuals and detainees have access to free menstrual products
• Allowing homeless assistance providers to use grant funds that cover shelter necessities to purchase menstrual products
• Requiring Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products
• Directing large employers to provide free menstrual products for their employees in the workplace
• Requiring all public federal buildings to provide free menstrual products in restrooms

See on Instagram

To raise awareness for the bill, creative agency 72andSunny teamed up with Period: The Menstrual Movement, No More Secrets, The Flow Initiative, Ignite and Free the Period to create this commercial starring OffLimits Spark Cereal as Loopholes and featuring August tampons and pads as the “prizes.” And where you can’t really buy a box of this deliciously inclusive cereal (at least not with the Loopholes packaging), the website’s Action Page does offer an easy way to submit your email to contact representatives. I just did it in 10 seconds.

As anyone who has the monthly flow will tell you, these items are a necessity, not a luxury. They might not be part of a balanced breakfast, but they are part of a healthy life.