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The NBA announced its full slate of games for the 2021-22 season on Friday afternoon. While the league already revealed the teams that will play on Christmas Day and the list of fixtures that will make up its opening week, we know now all 1,312 games that will take place in the lead-up to the 2022 postseason.

The most prominent of these games will take place on national television, as the league will commence its annual exercise of putting some teams on ABC, ESPN, NBATV, and TNT more than a bunch of others. Here is the complete list of nationally televised contests that each team will game, with the team atop the list being exactly who you’d expect and a quintet of squads at the bottom with four games each, most of which are on NBATV.

Los Angeles Lakers: 42
Golden State Warriors: 41
Brooklyn Nets: 37
Milwaukee Bucks: 36
Boston Celtics: 33
Phoenix Suns: 33
New York Knicks: 29
Los Angeles Clippers: 27
Philadelphia 76ers: 27
Dallas Mavericks: 26
Utah Jazz: 26
Denver Nuggets: 25
Miami Heat: 22
Atlanta Hawks: 19
New Orleans Pelicans: 16
Portland Trail Blazers: 15
Chicago Bulls: 11
Memphis Grizzlies: 11
Charlotte Hornets: 8
Sacramento Kings: 6
San Antonio Spurs: 6
Toronto Raptors: 6
Washington Wizards: 6
Detroit Pistons: 5
Indiana Pacers: 5

Cleveland Cavaliers: 4
Houston Rockets: 4
Minnesota Timberwolves: 4
Oklahoma City Thunder: 4
Orlando Magic: 4

Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising things here are the huge bet the league is putting on the Warriors, with Klay Thompson back from injuries, being able to return to being one of the NBA’s most compelling teams. Perhaps there’s also surprising to where the 1-2 in last year’s MVP race finished here, with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets only getting 25 games — which is closer to the number of games the Grizzlies and Bulls got than the Lakers — and Joel Embiid’s Sixers getting 27.

NYC EPICENTERS 9/11➔2021½/ (Sunday, HBO 9:00pm) — Spike Lee’s four-part documentary love letter to his city will bring things full circle for the 20th anniversary of the day that the Twin Towers fell at the hands of terrorists. Expect his quintessential New York voice to weave a vibrant tapestry from over 200 interviews from residents, first respondents, journalists, and politicians. The end result is a provocative series that not only takes the ongoing pandemic into account but also the Black Lives Matter movement, all to chronicle loss and survival, as well as life and resilience.

The Walking Dead (Sunday, AMC 9:00pm) — This zombie-apocalypse universe’s flagship series returns for one final rodeo with two spinoffs still in motion, so it’s time to wrap this puppy up before the various shows’ timelines begin to intersect. Negan’s no longer the show’s villain, Alpha’s been vanquished, and Carol’s about to split from the group. When one really thinks about all the careers that this show has bolstered (Steven Yeun, Dania Guerra, Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, and so on), it’s impressive that Norman Reedus has stuck it out for the long haul, so Daryl and Carol must end this show by literally riding off into the sunset by motorcycle. We’ll accept nothing else.

These streaming picks make excellent appetizers:

Annette (Amazon Prime film) — Adam Driver’s singing into a vagina for some odd reason in this movie that includes the most outlandish of setups for reasons that don’t make complete sense. Yet Driver’s stand-up comedian is accompanied by Marion Cotillard’s opera singer, and the pair falls in love before giving birth to the title character, who is gifted beyond belief with an exceptional destiny. Expect an examination of passion and fame and everything in between.

The Chair (Netflix series): Sandra Freaking Oh headlines this show about the first woman of color to become chair at a prominent university. In the process of adjusting to her job, she confronts dizzyingly high expectations while one of the university’s cornerstone programs is tanking. Jay Duplass co-stars (his character is a complete and delightful mess), and are we ready for Sandra Oh supremacy yet? This show is breezy and immensely charming effort from all parties, and Sandra Oh tells off everyone who pushes back against her bossdom. The trailer also features the latest song (aptly titled, “Oh!”) from viral punk teen stars The Linda Lindas.

Sweet Girl (Netflix film): More Jason Momoa in this world is always a wonderful thing. In this movie, however, the man who portrays Aquaman gets very serious after the death of his wife. He sets out for justice against those who he believes are responsible, and he must also protect his daughter, who’s now in harm’s way due to his mission. So, justice turns into vengeance, and the enemy here is Big Pharma, apparently. Justin Bartha, Amy Brenneman, and Isabela Merced co-star, along with Momoa’s hair.

Here’s a return to regularly scheduled programming:

UFO (Sunday, Showtime 9:00pm) — Earlier this summer, the U.S. government’s so-called comprehensive report on Unidentified Flying Objects revealed, uh, nothing. Enter J.J. Abrams with this four-part docuseries that examines the cultural touchpoints of alien sightings and promises to examine possible motives on those parties who might be “shielding the truth,” and yep, this is coming from Abrams of Cloverfield and Super 8, so enjoy, Fox Mulder.

Wellington Paranormal (Sunday, CW 9:00pm) — What We Do In The Shadows fans rejoice because you’re receiving a spinoff mockumentary series with the same comedy-horror tone from creators and executive producers Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. This week, zombies and terrifying clowns get followed up by teen witches, who are bullying the heck out of the student body.

100 Foot Wave (Sunday, HBO 10:00pm) — This six-part sports-documentary series follows the decade-long journey of Garrett McNamara, the pioneering and iconic surfer who dreamed of conquering (as the title indicates) a 100-foot wave, which did more than push his sport to literally higher heights while also elevating a small fishing village. This week, there’s a whole new meaning to the word “wipeout.”

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (Sunday, HBO 11:00pm) — John Oliver, yes!

Reminiscence: (Warner Bros. film on HBO Max) — Another movie meant for theaters has landed in your living room. This action thriller stars Hugh Jackman as a private investigator whose ground central happens to be people’s minds. He helps people unearth lost memories while living on the fringe of Miami society. One client becomes a dangerous obsession, and this certainly ain’t Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, although it sounds like the most unlikely reversal ever.

Truth Be Told: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson star in this show about a true-crime podcaster who achieves notoriety, although everything comes back to bite her in the butt after someone that she helped to convict was, well, wrongfully convicted. In this season, Spencer’s podcaster (Poppy) launches a new case that’s deeply personal, given that it involves Hudson’s media mogul (Micah), and soon enough, their friendship may be on the line, along with their reputations.

Ted Lasso: Season 2 (Apple TV+ series) — First thing’s first: Everyone who’s caught a glimpse of this Bill Lawrence co-created and developed series loves it. That’s a notable feat, considering that star Jason Sudeikis first portrayed the title character way back in 2013 for NBC Sports’ promos for Premier League coverage. Fast forward to the fresh hell that was 2020, and the show surfaced as one of the year’s lone bright spots. Ted Lasso is somehow both relentlessly and charmingly cheery, although there’s always the spectre of Led Tasso to consider.

What If…? (Disney+ series) — We’re in the multiverse after Loki‘s season finale. The MCU promises to show us a wealth of scenarios that stand separate from the existing canon (thus far). Agent Carter already took the serum and became Captain Carter, and this week, T’Challa takes on the Star Lord mantle with some unanticipated circumstances for a notorious villain. Yes, Chadwick Boseman voiced the character one final time, so it’s time to let the tears and appreciation roll.

Sweet Life: Los Angeles: Season 1 (HBO Max series) — The WarnerMedia streaming service is keeping up with its summer of unscripted content that also includes The Hype and FBoy Island. In particular, this show follows a group of young, Black, and ambitious mid-20 somethings while they pursue dreams. Of course, those dreams not only happen to be professional but also involve loyalty and love. The quarter-life mark is a milestone unlike any other, and in South Los Angeles, this group of long-time friends comes together for a three-episode drop, which will be followed by more episodes running through September 2.

The Hype: Season 1 (HBO Max series) — Streetwear professionals finally get a proper reality-competition show that aims to create a collision of streetwear, culture, and business. Cardi B’s judging, along with Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Ferg, Dapper Dan, and Bobby Hundreds. All involved aim to mentor the contestants while imparting their specialized visions toward the visionary contestants. From fashion to music to art to lifestyle and everywhere in between, the creativity here should be off the hook, and maybe some of that coolness will rub off on us.

After generating a significant amount of fanfare when the casting decision was announced back in March, comedian Bo Burnham will no longer be playing NBA legend Larry Bird in an HBO series based on the L.A. Lakers. According to sources, Burnham, who won critical acclaim for his role in the best picture-nominated Promising Young Woman, had to exit the project due to scheduling conflicts. Via Variety:

Sean Patrick Small will instead play Bird. Bird is described as a basketball star who hates the spotlight; preferring instead: Budweiser, ratty jeans, and brutally, ruthlessly destroying his opponents on the court. He and Magic Johnson, who have been pitted against one another since their legendary NCAA championship duel, continue their rivalry for the next decade.

The HBO series is currently in production, and executive producer Adam McKay has already directed the pilot. While the show has no official title yet, it’s based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. According to Deadline, “the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.”

Even without Burnham, the show still features an all-star cast that includes Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach, Sally Field as Jessie Buss, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss, Jason Clarke as Jerry West, Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson, Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jason Segel as Paul Westhead.

(Via Variety)

Earlier today, Kendrick Lamar announced that his next album will be his last on Top Dawg Entertainment after working with the label for nearly 15 years. Shortly after his announcement, the label’s founder and CEO, Anthony Tiffith — aka, the titular “Top Dawg” of TDE — released his own statement to social media reflecting on their partnership’s impact and looking ahead to the label’s future, calling it “an honor and privilege for TDE to bless the world with the GOAT.”

“The whole goal when we started this thing was to make music, make money, and make history,” he wrote. “We did those things 10 times over and then some. TDE and its artists have provided a way to end generational curses that we were all personally born into over the last 17 years in this business.” K. Dot previously addressed this sentiment on his DAMN. track “Duckworth,” which examined the incidental connection between his own father and Top Dawg before Kendrick was even born.

“With this being Dot’s last album on TDE, this is more of a VICTORY LAP, a celebration,” Top asserted, wishing his label’s best-selling artist success in his future endeavors. “I know he will be successful in whatever it is he decides to do and will have our FULL support. As for Top Dawg Entertainment, we will continue to grow, develop, and give artists the platform to expand into whatever way they choose. Heart, honor, respect.”

Back in June, hip-hop/pop/punk-rock chameleon Rico Nasty unveiled a swaggering summer track called “Magic,” which now has a brand-new music video. Featuring the Maryland-born performer dancing in a variety of sharp outfits and hairstyles, plus riding a dirt bike, “Magic” kind of looks like if Spice Girls’ “Say You’ll Be There” video met Mad Max. Which is to say, it’s highly stylish and entertaining.

“Obviously, we don’t know what [my genre] is now because it’s only been three years of rapping,” Rico Nasty told Uproxx last year about her immense musical versatility. “It’s because they’re just unfamiliar with it, but 10 years down the line, it’ll be a trail of what this is. It could be punk, it could be a bunch of things. But I say I don’t resonate with those things, because rather than putting me in those things, I would rather people just watch and see what happens. Because I change a lot, so you never know what it could be. Just appreciate it for what it is.”

Rico, who is currently teasing a new mixtape, released her critically acclaimed debut studio album, Nightmare Vacation, last year, telling Vulture: “The whole journey of a Nightmare Vacation is to overcome a series of things that you didn’t think you could and find peace in them. That’s what this whole year [2020] has been like. So many people lost their jobs, lost family members, lost being able to travel, lost things that brought them peace. And for the first couple months, we was all running around here like chickens with their heads cut off, like What are we about to do? What is our purpose? We started paying attention to the things that really mattered to us.”

Watch the video for “Magic” above.

Rico Nasty is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

This week, Little Caesars unveiled their latest culinary invention, the Crazy Calzony. Instantly, the internet was left scratching its collective head — with opinions split between disgust and hunger-induced curiosity. At first glance, I wasn’t on board. I hate meme foods that look like they were made solely to create conversation. Call me crazy but I really want chains to do one thing and one thing only: make good food at an affordable (yet sustainable) price.

Was I being unfair to the Crazy Calzony? Maybe. Just because something looks like it was made to be memed doesn’t make it automatically bad. On paper, the thing sounds solid. So solid that I knew I had to try it ASAP.

The Crazy Calzony claims to be part pepperoni pizza, part calzone. Inside the crust, you’ll find a garlic white sauce, mozzarella cheese, and julienned pepperonis, with some parmesan sprinkled over the whole pie for good measure. To us, it looks less like a calzone and more like a Sicilian quadri pizza, where the crust is folded over, essentially creating a stuffed crust pizza. So it’s not like there isn’t precedent for this — though we doubt that’s what Little Caesars was going for.

The Crazy Calzony is available at participating Little Caesars nationwide for delivery or pickup at a price of $8.49. Beginning August 23rd it’ll be available as a Hot N’ Ready item. We tried two Crazy Calzonys this week to see if this thing is worth the buy — so that you don’t have to take the chance next time you end up at a Little Caesars choosing between this or a sensibly priced $5 regular pizza.

Let’s dive in!

Little Caesar’s Crazy Calzony Pepperoni Pizza/ Cheese Pizza

Crazy Calzony? More like f*cked up calzone. Seriously, let’s get this right out of the way, if your interest in this pizza revolves around the idea that you get the best of both worlds with the Crazy Calzony you’re going to be disappointed — this is nothing like eating a calzone. What makes a Calzone great is how many ingredients the form factor allows you to stuff inside of it (and the puff of an air-sealed crust). A calzone, unlike a pizza, isn’t about toppings, it’s about fillings, which are two very different things. Unfortunately, as far as fillings go the Crazy Calzony is lacking. You get little chunks of julienned pepperoni, but that’s it, it’s mostly a crust stuffed with cheese. Even the garlic white sauce gets consumed by that cheese, giving it a different consistency than the cheese on top of the pie, but aside from the mouthfeel being different, it’s very easy to mistake this sauce for more cheese, with some subtle notes of garlic thrown in there.

That’s not a problem for me, I love stuffed crust pizza. But I’m just warning the calzone-heads out there, this thing is going to keep you wanting if what you want is a calzone. This isn’t even a bad calzone, it’s just not a calzone at all.

Another thing that makes calzones great is how easily dippable they are, Little Caesars gets this which is why they supply their famous Crazy Sauce with this pie. But considering Little Caesars’ regular pizza is constructed in a way that the toppings magically hold up against gravity, you can also do that with a regular slice of Little Caesars’ pizza, so you don’t need this form factor for that experience.

At first bite, you’ll be greeted with an overwhelming amount of salt that settles into notes of butter and garlic, and then, unfortunately, the flavor ride is over. This isn’t the most complex of culinary experiences, but it is in no way bad, aside from the greasy fingers it’ll leave you. It’s great stoner food, so if you’re indulging the munchies, definitely get it. As we alluded to before, this is less like a calzone and more like a stuffed crust pizza, but I like it better than a normal stuffed crust pizza. The way the cheese spills over from the crust into the pie is a beautiful thing. If you’ve ever eaten a stuffed crust pizza and wanted even more cheese, this provides that.

Plus you get more crispiness.

I had both the all-cheese and pepperoni versions and for the most part, the experiences were the same. Both feature the julienne pepperonis in the crust, so vegetarians beware, this pizza is not friendly to you. As you can tell from the picture, the pepperoni pizza was assembled haphazardly, so overall it felt really lacking in the toppings department. Overall, the flavors here are good, and if you love Little Caesars it’s safe to assume you’re going to like the taste of this, but please, Little Caesars, if you’re listening, we have a very easy fix for the overall lackluster experience of eating this pizza — offer some fillings choices. Give us the chance to stick anything you’ve got into that crust.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a calzone look elsewhere. If you’re looking for the evolution of the stuffed crust pizza, this is it! There is more cheese than your regular stuffed crust, and with the inclusion of the garlic white sauce, you get an extra flavor in there to keep things interesting.

For the best results don’t pick this one up Hot-N-Ready, instead order it online or in-store and go crazy with those toppings. Pepperoni, bacon, and green peppers seem like a winner paired with that garlic white sauce in the crust. Don’t stop at the Crazy Sauce either, if you have your own favorite dipping sauces at home, definitely utilize them — this pizza needs a little extra help in order to realize its full potential.

One of the most shocking facts of American life is that it takes an average of 21.1 years for the average borrower to pay off their student loan debt.

Most hope that after getting an education they can bear the burden of their loans by having a successful career. But some have their careers derailed or ended altogether by becoming disabled whether by an accident or disease.

This can put someone in a perilous situation that wasn’t their fault. They’ve lost the ability to earn an income but still have to make monthly payments for a degree that they may not need anymore.

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The Biden administration announced Thursday that it will cancel the student loan debt for over 323,000 people who are “totally and permanently disabled” and have limited incomes.

The debt cancellation will total over $5.8 billion.

This is big. Let’s keep this momentum going and #CancelStudentDebt for all.
https://t.co/QValwpAYNg

— NextGen America 🗳✨ (@NextGenAmerica)
1629407400.0

The federal government had laws in place to help disabled people pay off their student loan debts. However, the system required regular income verification and was difficult for many to navigate.

In 2016, a federal watchdog group found that 98% of those dropped from the loan forgiveness program had their loans restored because they failed to keep up with the paperwork, not because they made too much money.

Under the new action, the federal government will erase student debt for the 323,000 Americans identified in Social Security records as being permanently disabled. The recipients won’t have to submit any further income checks or risk being eliminated from the program.

All of the loans are expected to be eliminated at the end of the year. Borrowers will be notified when their debt has been discharged.

“This is going to be a smooth process for our borrowers,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. “They’re not going to have to be applying for it or getting bogged down by paperwork.”

via Michael Fleshman / Flickr

Aaron Ament, president of the National Student Legal Defense Network, called it a “life-changing” step.

“This is a huge moment for hundreds of thousands of borrowers with disabilities who can now move on with their lives and won’t be trapped in a cycle of debt,” he said.

“With this simple and sensible change, more than 320,000 borrowers and their families are being freed from the burden of student loans that they should not have to repay,” Representative Bobby Scott, a Democrat from Virginia and chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said in a statement.

The move comes as part of a broader movement by the Biden administration to lessen the burden of student debt for many Americans. The administration extended the student debt payment moratorium enacted in March 2020 through January 31, 2022.

Earlier this year the administration canceled $1.3 billion in student debt held by seriously disabled borrowers whose canceled loans were reinstated after they failed to show proof of their earnings.

Another wave of loan forgiveness canceled $8.7 billion in debt for people who were victimized by schools that made false promises or abruptly closed shop.

Currently, 42.9 million Americans hold $1.59 trillion in federal student loan debt.

Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story empire continues to expand, and he’s taking aim at another 1990s scandal in the Bill Clinton impeachment proceedings. But the trailer’s biggest piece of news is that we finally get a good look at Beanie Feldstein’s transformation into Monica Lewinsky.

The trailer for the “based on a true story” series opens with Feldstein’s Lewinsky sitting at lunch and talking about how she’s dating someone “important.” A shy Lewinsky pauses and seems to struggle to know what to say. The next shot is an image of the White House.

Feldstein’s transformation into the infamous White House intern may be a shock for people who last saw her play a high schooler in Booksmart, but the 28-year-old actress certainly looks the part as the center of one of the biggest modern scandals in American presidential history, non-Trump category. Here’s the show’s description:

Impeachment: American Crime Story examines the national crisis that led to the first impeachment of a U.S. President in over a century through the eyes of the women at the center of the events: Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp and Paula Jones. All three were thrust into the public spotlight during a time of corrosive partisan rancor, shifting sexual politics and a changing media landscape.

There’s a lot to discuss from the trailer, at least as far as the accuracy of the story it’s based upon, although Lewinsky’s role as an executive producer does lend credence to the truth of it all. But it certainly plays up the drama of the whole affair and the roles of other important characters who brought allegations against Bill Clinton that led to his impeachment. As for Clinton, the trailer only shows him briefly, as played by Clive Owen, at the end and on the other side of a phone call that starts with Lewinsky saying “Hey, handsome” into the receiver.

We’ll see it all play out when the latest American Crime Story hits FX on September 7.

Outkast‘s Big Boi and Organized Noise’s Sleepy Brown — who fall under the Atlanta collective The Dungeon Family — have announced a long-awaited release date for their collaborative album, The Big Sleepover. In tandem with the announcement, the duo released a dancehall-influenced single, “The Big Sleep Is Over” featuring Jamaican artist Kay-I, and an animated music video, which you can check out above.

First teased in 2019, The Big Sleepover is set to feature Big Boi and Sleepy Brown’s single “Intentions” featuring CeeLo Green, plus “Can’t Sleep,” “Lower Case,” and “We The Ones” featuring Killer Mike and Big Rube. (You might recall how Big Boi, Big Rube, Killer Mike, and Sleepy Brown all teamed up to perform the remix of “We The Ones” on The Tonight Show around Election Day.)

To cap things off, Big Boi and Sleepy Brown also mapped out a run of fall tour dates, including a Falcons pregame performance in Atlanta, which you can find below.

08/24 — Los Angeles, CA @ MLS All Star Game
09/01 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
09/02 – Evanston, IL @ Evanston Brewing Co
09/11 – South Haven, MI @ Gridlife Midwest
09/12 – Atlanta, GA @ Falcons Pregame Performance
10/01 – Wichita, KS @ Wichita Riverfest
10/06 – Charlotte, NC @ Underground
10/07 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
10/08 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
10/09 – Columbia, SC @ The Senate

The Big Sleepover arrives on 9/3 via Hitco. Pre-order it here.

There was a stretch this offseason where Aaron Rodgers looked like he was going to have a whole lot of time on his hands as tension with the Green Bay Packers led to rumors that he was seriously considering retirement. That didn’t happen — Rodgers agreed to a new deal to stick around and possibly do a few more Lambeau Leaps before his football career comes to an end — but despite that, he still wanted to try his best to fill the late Alex Trebek’s shoes.

Rodgers, a well-documented Jeopardy! superfan, got the chance to guest host the show last season, and made a pretty strong case that he deserved the opportunity to be in contention for the gig. That didn’t happen, as Jeopardy! made the widely-scrutinized decision to hand the reins of the show (at least for non-special episodes) to Mike Richards, but on Friday, Rodgers confirmed that he would have been honored to take over if it could have worked with his football schedule.

“Yeah, I definitely would’ve,” Rodgers told Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio when asked if he would have accept the opportunity. “I mean, if they would have figured out a way to make it work with my schedule, yeah, for sure.”

This interview happened before Richards resigned amid a flurry of controversy regarding things and actions from his past that had been unearthed following his appointment to the post. So now, Jeopardy! can go in one of three directions: 1. Have Mayim Bialik, who is set to host primetime specials of the show, take over full time, 2. Look for someone else or, 3. Just give the job to Rodgers.