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It’s been less than 48 hours after Fox News host Tucker Carlson started peddling a conspiracy theory that the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building was orchestrated by the FBI, and already, Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert is demanding an investigation. No stranger to crackpot theories, Gohmert took to the floor on Thursday to support an investigation into the insurrection, which was a surprising about-face after Gohmert previously sided with Republicansm who did not want to open a commission looking into the attack sparked by a Donald Trump rally. Via Raw Story:

“We really need to know what the FBI knew and when they knew it,” said Gohmert. “And not only that, we need to know how much participation did any of our federal friends, either at DOJ, at FBI, or any at the intel community — what kind of role were they playing,” he said. “Because there’s information that came out about the effort to kidnap the Michigan governor and there were federal agents. So, it’s been said that there were federal agents involved in that.”

Again, the conspiracy theory can be directly traced back to Carlson who devoted a portion of his Tuesday night broadcast to heavily insinuating that the FBI was behind the January 6 attack because some of the protestors have not been charged yet.

“The government knows who they are, but they have not charged them. Why is that? You know why,” Carlson said. “They were all certainly working for the FBI. So FBI operatives were organizing the attack on the Capitol, on Jan. 6, according to government documents!”

Naturally, Gohmert was one of the first Republican politicians to bite on the theory and demand an investigation. Earlier in the month, the GOP congressman actually suggested that the government should somehow alter the Earth’s orbit around the sun to stop climate change, so we’re not exactly dealing with the sharpest tool in the shed.

(Via Raw Story)

Ziwe Fumudo has already earned a reputation for convincing people to give very candid interviews, and her next venture will apparently use some of those acting skills to execute a fictional scam for comedic effect.

Ziwe, last seen making Andrew Yang struggle to recall the name of a single Jay-Z song, reportedly will add an Amazon comedy to her already-full plate as a Showtime talk show host. According to a Variety report, Ziwe will develop a project for the streaming platform where she plays a young woman willing to grift her way to the American Dream:

The project follows Zoe, a wise-beyond-her-years 20-something who, debilitated by student debt, partners with a known grifter in a desperate bid to achieve the American Dream. The two prep school grads make an unlikely alliance all while secretly plotting to scam each other.

Ziwe is the writer and creator of the series, with Will Graham and Hailey Wierengo of Field Trip also executive producing. Wondaland Pictures — the production company founded by Janelle Monae, Chuck Lightning, Mikael Moore, and Nate Wonder — will also executive produce.

Ziwe has certainly found ways to make a splash in recent months, including her Stop Being Poor parody that went viral. A scripted comedy is a slightly different kind of muscle at work, but her already-long list of work with shows like Desus and Mero and Dickinson, not to mention a studio album in the works, certainly have a lot of people talking. There’s no word just yet on when we’ll see more of what Nigerian Princess looks like, but from the sounds of it there will be plenty of online grifting to enjoy very soon.

[via Variety]

Anthony Mackie shoulders a pretty substantial burden in the MCU going forward. He’s embodying Sam Wilson/Falcon, who finally got his day in Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Solder season finale. The show really made the MCU earn Sam’s position as a Black man holding Captain America’s shield, and it was no easy feat for Sam to show that the government wanted to put almost anyone else (who was white) in the position, but it worked out in the end. The show deftly handled the issue of systemic racism in America. As far as some of the other issues go, well, that did not go as smoothly.

[Deep breath.] In a nutshell, it’s safe to say that the writers of the show went for a buddy-comedy vibe but also paid lip service to fan fiction by suggesting, ever so playfully, that Sam and Bucky Barnes could be a romantic item. This was heavily implied in places, with the two formally being made to endure couple’s therapy while bickering as if they were truly married. And when they fell off a train, the writers had them rolling around in a field together. And then the writers went and made Bucky sweet on Sam’s sister, rather than Sam, and it would be understandable if some fans felt that the rug had been yanked out from underneath them.

So, that’s why it’s difficult to process what Mackie said (during a Variety podcast) on the subject of Sam and Bucky’s relationship. Variety tweeted out a partial quote with Mackie stating, “It used to be guys can be friends, we can hang out, and it was cool.” He added, “You can’t do that anymore, because something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality has been exploited by people who are trying to rationalize themselves.”

This didn’t make much sense, and this led to people wondering what on earth Mackie was saying. Was this like the Sirius XM interview where Mackie admitted to being confused about Easter eggs and kind-of suggesting that he’d really rather just focus on the script and not worry too much about the outside noise? Stick with me here for some more digging, but first, here’s how the Variety tweet led to a lot of “huh?” reactions.

However, the Variety tweet left out some context from the full quote in the podcast transcript itself. Here’s more of what Mackie said:

“So many things are twisted and convoluted. There’s so many things that people latch on to with their own devices to make themselves relevant and rational. The idea of two guys being friends and loving each other in 2021 is a problem because of the exploitation of homosexuality. It used to be guys can be friends, we can hang out, and it was cool. You would always meet your friends at the bar, you know. You can’t do that anymore, because something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality has been exploited by people who are trying to rationalize themselves. So something that’s always been very important to me is showing a sensitive masculine figure. There’s nothing more masculine than being a superhero and flying around and beating people up. But there’s nothing more sensitive than having emotional conversations and a kindred spirit friendship with someone that you care about and love.”

That’s a little bit clearer, but also not the best look. It’s not apparent whether Mackie’s suddenly realized that abundant fan fiction exists (in which people write their dream-scenarios, including Sam and Bucky being a couple), and perhaps he’s not realizing that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier seemed to already realize this and chose to send out signals toward the fans who churn out this fiction. Disney+ played with it, sort of as a nod to fans, to show that they’re listening. Yet some fans felt too teased, which is understandable. It’s one thing when people genuinely read into things too much, like with the whole Mephisto business when the hints weren’t really there, but yeah, The Falcon and the Winter Solder did heavily suggest romantic vibes between the lead heroes.

Ultimately, though, the LGBTQ+ community is seeking representation in stories, and it’s fair for them to wonder what on earth Anthony Mackie is saying.

(Via Variety)

Senator Ted Cruz is one of many GOP members who only values science when it’s convenient for him. Case in point: his latest performance in faux outrage over on Twitter.

The Congressman took to social media on Thursday to rip House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her comments relating to the importance of Roe V Wade during a recent press conference. In the clip Cruz shared, Speaker Pelosi is asked by a reporter whether she believes an unborn baby at 15 weeks qualifies as a human being. Instead of being baited into one wading in the middle of the right-wing’s most beloved morality crusades, Pelosi instead references her own experience giving birth to five children in six years.

“Let me just say that I am a big supporter of Roe V Wade,” Pelosi answers. “I think I have some standing on this issues as to respecting a woman’s right to choose.”

Of course, any time the phrase “women’s rights” echoes across the online cavern, Cruz must rear his poorly-manicured mullet to accuse Democrats of being baby murderers but this time he used “science” to do it.

Now, this is a guy who disregarded science during a global pandemic, fighting against mask mandates by invoking the same human rights slogan that so many pro-choice proponents use when it comes to the controversial topic of abortions. When Cruz was forced to wear a piece of cotton over his face, he seemed gung-ho about people’s right to choose what they do with their bodies, but apparently that freedom doesn’t extend to women’s reproductive systems. It’s also laughable that Cruz is seemingly upset that Democrats aren’t valuing the sanctity of human life considering he left millions in his own state to literally freeze to death in favor of a vacation to Cancun, but instead of dragging out all of his damning receipts, we’ll let Twitter point out the blatant hypocrisy on display here:

Nipsey Hussle will soon be immortalized in a way that is rare for most entertainers, let alone rappers: He’ll be among 38 new honorees to receive a star along Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame in 2022. The honor is especially notable for Grammy-winning musician, as he was an LA local who was renowned in the area for both his music and his works of philanthropy, such as refurbishing school basketball courts and hiring members of the community to work at his various businesses.

Such was Nipsey’s importance to the city of Los Angeles that his funeral was held at Staples Center, with a procession that that stretched 25 miles past various LA landmarks. Memorials were held for days after both his initial passing and the funeral service, while Hussle’s visage graces various murals throughout the city, including on a court like the one he previously helped to update.

Nipsey’s 2022 Walk Of Fame class also includes another posthumous honoree: the late actress, producer, and writer Carrie Fisher, who will forever be best known by her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series (no word on if the star is being repurposed from Donald Trump’s as suggested by her costar Mark Hamill). Other musical honorees will include Ashanti, Black Eyed Peas, and DJ Khaled. Previous honorees from the world of hip-hop include Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, and 50 Cent.

Nipsey Hussle is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

I have not had the pleasure of watching F9 yet, so for all I know, Luke Hobbs appears in the post-credits scene. But considering the ninth film in the completely ridiculous (not an insult) Fast and Furious franchise was released last month overseas and I haven’t heard a peep about Dwayne Johnson being in it, I’m guessing Dominic Toretto will have a convoluted explanation for his post-Hobbs & Shaw absence. That doesn’t mean he’s been kicked out of the family, however (even if Vin Diesel might want him gone).

Director Justin Lin was asked in an interview with CinemaBlend about whether The Rock, who was involved in a “candy ass” feud with Diesel, could return for Fast and Furious 10 and/or Fast and Furious 11. “I think that’s always been our approach,” he answered. “So many of the conversations I have is about characters that are not even in there, but are still, obviously, they are living and breathing in this universe.”

“On this one, when I came back, I was thinking a lot about Hobbs and Shaw, and all of the other characters. I never think of them as being gone, for sure.”

If Han can come back from the dead, Hobbs can go to work one more time.

(Via CinemaBlend)

It’s a big week for XXL Freshman. After the long-running hip-hop bible announced its annual list yesterday, a number of its participants capitalized on the moment to drop new music or videos. Coi Leray popped up in Earthgang’s “Options” remix video yesterday, DDG shared his “Hood Melody” video today, and Morray, who rose to prominence behind his song “Quicksand” and subsequent appearance on J. Cole’s “My Life” with 21 Savage, put out the video for “Mistakes” from his debut mixtape Street Sermons.

In the video, the Fayetteville native visits a church confessional booth to croon about his rags to riches tale, as well as showing off some dance moves in a separate performance scene and watching a private screening of protest footage in a trap house with a butler and gourmet dinner. The elegant dining situation is contrasted in a side-by-side shot of his old table setting in a shot reminiscent of fellow North Carolinian Toosii’s recently released “What It Cost” video.

While “Quicksand” was Morray’s breakout hit and his notoriety increased thanks to his placement on J. Cole’s album The Off-Season, the rising star has also drawn attention for his videos for “Trenches” and “Nothing Now.”

Watch Morray’s “MIstakes” video above.

iCarly (Paramount+ series) — This revival series picks up a decade following the beloved Nickelodeon classic with Miranda Cosgrove returning as the title character, who happens to be the O.G. webcast influencer. She’s accompanied by returning stars Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress, so the whole gang’s getting back together for more comedic mishaps and adventures while fans can enjoy seeing where these characters ended up for a new chapter.

Black Summer: Season 2 (Netflix series) — This zombie series’ sophomore season may as well be titled Black Winter, but that’s alright. The first season was a sleeper and ended up being the show that Fear The Walking Dead fans would have preferred before the AMC spinoff series improved dramatically this year. With that said, this is a quick-and-dirty crowd-pleaser of a series, not to mention a brutal one, and this season, violent militias get down with their bad selves.

Civil War (Or, Who Do We Think We Are) (Peacock film) — Brad Pitt and Henry Louis Gates Jr. executive produce this documentary that digs into how the Civil War is discussed by Americans, from Obama’s final year in office until present. Expect to see a layered portrait of our collective American psyche to emerge.

The Prime Day Show (Amazon Prime series) — The Prime Day sales event (June 21-22) will launch with this three-episode musical event with performances from Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Kid Cudi.

Generation: Season 4 (HBO Max series) — The dark and playful half-hour series (which is returning from hiatus) revolves around high school students who are finding their coming-of-age exploration of sexuality complicated by the deeply held beliefs that persist throughout their conservative community. The series stars Chase Sui Wonders, Chloe East, Haley Sanchez, Lukita Maxwell, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Nathanya Alexander, Nava Mau, Uly Schlesinger, Justice Smith, and Martha Plimpton.

Katla: Season 1 (Netflix series) — This series is based in Iceland where a subglacial volcano won’t stop erupting, and a young woman’s seeking her missing sister, who happens to have disappeared around the same time that the eruptions began. Is there something supernatural afoot underneath the glacier? Perhaps.

Intelligence: Season 2 (Peacock series) — This David Schwimmer-starring series feels like a bizarre pivot, due to its across-the-pond-style of humor, but enough people tuned in to merit a second round. Schwimmer portrays a shouty NSA agent who tells crude jokes and is basically the stereotypical Ugly American among an office of relatively civilized Brits.

Holey Moley 3D in 2D (ABC, 9:00pm) — This new season of holes (yes, that’s right) includes a Corny Hole, a North Pole on the Ho Ho Hole, and Holey Matrimony. These puns never get old for the contestants or the audience.

The Cube (TBS, 9:00pm) — The so-called “World’s Toughest Gameshow” is jumping across the pond with Dwayne Wade as host of the U.S. incarnation. He will preside over 15-square feet of plexiglass, which will hold contestants while they attempt epic challenges that would otherwise be simple tasks. This week, a husband-and-wife team maneuvers to win $250,000.

Jimmy Kimmel Live — Dax Shepard, Monica Padman, Tony Hale, Saweetie

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon — Helen Mirren, Kenya Barris, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Late Night With Seth Meyers — Peyton Manning, Bowen Yang, Edgar Wright, Stevie Nistor

The Late Late Show With James Corden — Will Arnett, Lord Huron

In case you missed these streaming picks last Thursday:

Infinite (Paramount+ film) — As hard as it might seem to believe, Mark Wahlberg stabs an airplane in this summer blockbuster movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, that’s coming straight to your living room tonight. Wahlberg is going up against reincarnated warriors known as “Infinites,” and he might be having flashbacks from multiple lives as well. He’s self-medicating, too, and driving a motorcycle off a cliff, so yeah, get your microwave popcorn ready.

Starstruck: Season 1 Premiere (HBO Max series) — Comedian Rose Matafeo stars in this comedy show about a young London woman who’s juggling two dead-end jobs and accidentally sleeping with a famous movie star, portrayed by Nikesh Patel. What could have been an amusing anecdote ends up being much more than that, and the cast also includes Sindhu Vee, Emma Sidi, and Minnie Driver.

National Parks are all over the news lately — mostly with warnings of long lines, overcrowding, and confusion over hard to secure limited reservations. The truth is, many parks will be crowded this summer. And while I sometimes actually enjoy being surrounded by a throng of like-minded folks in the wilderness, there’s something especially magical about a park where you can get a little elbow room.

With 63 officially designated “National Parks” in the United States, there are many that — despite the wild spike in National Park interest — are still somewhat secluded and less visited. But don’t let the less visited or rarely instagrammed status stop you from going. The parks on this list are less visited mostly due to proximity. As in, they take some work to get to.

Trust us: Make the required effort for the seven gems below. Once you arrive, you’ll be glad you did.

New River Gorge — WEST VIRGINIA

New River Gorge was just designated a National Park in December (it was previously a National River) and despite having long been a bastion for whitewater rafting, it is still fairly unknown. I visited this week and found it to be charming and sparsely occupied. Part of the reason for this is its location, it lies deep in West Virginia. Part may be due to its size, it encompasses a large swath of land around the New River.

Whatever the case, this is a special place and perfect for getting wet this summer.

Know before you go:

The New River is known for epic rafting, but if that’s not your speed there are many other ways to get onto the water. You can take a float trip, kayak, even SUP in the calmer sections of New River. Plan ahead and reserve some guided trips.

Pro tip:

There are many small towns and access points that make up the park. I stayed in Hinton, the southern gateway to the park and loved the small town charm (and the cabin on a private island I was able to stay in). Fayetteville is another great option with an eclectic vibe and no shortage of outfitters for guided trips. The park and the surrounding area feed into each other — you’ll be in the park then out then back in — but this works in your favor as there are amazing state parks in the same area. Pipestem Resort State Park is amazing and full of activities (I went on a gorgeous guided horseback ride there) while Bluestone State Park is a water lover’s dream.

Isle Royale — MICHIGAN

Like many of the parks on this list, Isle Royale requires a bit of a trek and some determination to visit. It is an island in the middle of Lake Superior, so getting there is just part of the fun. You can take a boat from either Michigan or Minnesota (there are person-only ferries from Houghton, Copper Harbor, Grand Portage, or Grand Marais) or opt for a seaplane or private boat to travel to the island. Once you’re there you have miles of trails to hike or backpack, campgrounds to relax in, and wildlife to find.

Know before you go:

Isle Royale is only accessible during the warmer months, and even then weather can change your trip quickly. Plan far ahead, check the weather leading up to your trip, and bring bug spray!

Pro tip:

Look out for wolves! Isle Royale is famously home to a now estimated 14 wolves, some that were recently transported there to help control the moose population. There have been researchers studying them since 1958 — making it the longest predator-prey study in the world.

Voyageurs — MINNESOTA

Voyageurs is another park that is somewhat difficult to get to, due to being almost entirely on water. The “park” is really more about the waterways you’ll be exploring than anything on land. Plan your trip carefully, there are NPS boat tours, private boat rentals, or you can bring your own. But you have to get on the water. That’s where the magic is.

Know before you go:

The only lodging (outside of camping) within the park is Kettle Falls Hotel. It has a super interesting history, and feels like stepping back into another time. I recommend staying for a night or two and arranging a boat shuttle through the hotel. Then explore the island and borrow the hotel’s canoe to explore.

Pro tip:

Visit Voyageurs and Isle Royale on the same trip. The drive is just over four hours from Grand Portage to Voyageurs, and takes you in part along the gorgeous Scenic 61 highway.

Dry Tortugas — FLORIDA

Surprise, another island park. The beauty of an island with limited options to reach it is that there is also a limited amount of people who will be on it. You can’t just drive up to an overlook at this park, you’re going to have to work for it. You can take the ferry from Key West or hop on a seaplane out to the gulf. You’ll soon find yourself in what seems like another world.

Explore the fort, lounge on the beach, snorkel, or camp under the deep dark skies.

Know before you go:

Reserve your tickets in advance! There are limited tickets each day and you don’t want to get all the way to the Keys and be turned away.

Pro tip:

Snorkel! I spent an entire afternoon snorkeling and laying on the beach — a truly special experience.

Big Bend — TEXAS

Big Bend might not be the greatest park to visit in the middle of summer — unless you love extreme heat — but it is a park to add to your list if you’re looking for some solitude. There is no reason this park is less visited other than that it’s hard to get to. But the longer the road the greater the reward (in this case, anyway).

This section of the Rio Grande River is truly breathtaking. Take a multi-day float trip for a remote adventure that should be way more talked about.

Know before you go:

Like I said, it’s hard to get to Big Bend. And once you’re there services are extremely limited. So plan ahead, plan ahead, plan ahead. Include a lot of water in your planning — it’s hot.

Pro tip:

Road-tripping to Big Bend is an adventure in itself. When I visited I stopped in Marfa on the way (the sort-of-home to the insta-famous Prada Marfa), and really enjoyed the laid back artsy vibe of the town. It’s also hard to reach, so a great add on to a Big Bend trip.

North Cascades — WASHINGTON

I’m constantly surprised that North Cascades still manages to make the list of least visited US National Parks. Only three hours from Seattle, and with views like the one above, that’s hard to believe. But I doubt the secret can be kept much longer, so I’d add this park to your summer road trip list. The park is home to rugged mountains, bright blue lakes, forested trails and beautiful waterfalls. Your jaw will drop at every turn.

Know before you go:

The main thoroughfare can become crowded, but don’t let that deter you — just get off the beaten path a bit.

Pro tip:

Go swimming in Diablo Lake! It is the definition of #nofilter beauty.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison — COLORADO

Colorado parks are known for being overcrowded — and they often are… in most places. But somehow, not at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I’ve regularly visited without seeing more than 10 other people. This allows me to bask in the moment, just experiencing the solitude and the peace of the canyon.

Know before you go:

You can access Black Canyon at the South or North Rim. The south seems to be more crowded, but also easier to access.

Pro tip:

Watch the stars! Black Canyon is a certified dark sky park.

The Dallas Mavericks’ whirlwind of a week has taken its most dramatic turn yet. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, longtime head coach Rick Carlisle, who has been at the helm of the Mavericks since 2008 and led them to their only NBA title in franchise history, informed owner Mark Cuban that he’s resigning as head coach.

Shortly after Wojnarowski reported the news, he released a statement from Carlisle in which he said that the decision to step away from the team was his and his alone, while Tim MacMahon announced that there were some tensions between the coach and All-Star guard Luka Doncic that might have made Carlisle’s long-term job prospects tricky.

The Mavs would quickly confirm that Carlisle had indeed stepped down.

This is a bombshell in the NBA’s coaching carousel, as Carlisle has long been viewed in one of the best coaches in the league and had two years remaining on his contract. While some questions were asked of him in the aftermath of the team’s first round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Cuban was adamant that the team would not part ways with him.

Whether or not Carlisle takes a break or tries to find a new job remains to be seen, but should he decide to coach next season, he will almost certainly be one of the hottest names on the coaching market. He’s been at the helm of the Mavericks, Pacers, and Pistons in his career, accruing an 836-689 record in his career. In addition to Carlisle, longtime executive Donnie Nelson parted ways with the team earlier this week.